Launch owners pledge hassle-free serviceupcoming Eid

FE ReportLaunch owners would double their services for carrying additional passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and also give 10 per cent discount to long route deck class passengers. The decision came in a meeting between Launch Owners' Samity and officials of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) held in the shipping ministry Wednesday. Shipping Minister, Shajahan Khan presided over the meeting. An additional shipping terminal adjacent to Postogola would be set up to offload pressure on Sadarghat terminal and the launch ghat would be shifted to Maoa ghat cross road in a week, the meeting decided. The meeting also decided that on the occasion of Eid, no cattle market in important roads and launch terminal areas would be allowed for easy movement of people. The number of ferries will be increased in important ghats and in case of break-down of any replacement ferries will be ensured. Toll collection from vehicles carrying cattleheads at the ghats must be stopped and in this regard shipping ministry will seek help of home ministry, the meeting further decided. An office for booking tickets on the occasion of Eid for Dhaka-Barisal-Patuakhali routes has been opened in city's 14, Purana Paltan. Secretary of shipping ministry, Abdul Mannan Howladar, district commissioner, police supers, chief of Coastguards, high officials of BIWTA among others, were present in the meeting.