Launch owners warned against overloading

Owners of launches (passenger ferries) have been asked by the authorities to carry passengers and goods within the limit of their capacities during Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of Muslims. The owners of the watercraft have also been cautioned that violater of the law will face legal action. “If any launch is found carrying excessive passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha will face legal action,” Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has said. There will be monitoring teams in every ferry terminal across the country to check overloading round the clock, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, he told reporters after attending a meeting on ensuring safe journey of passengers ahead of Eid at the BIWTA office in Motijheel in Dhaka. The shipping minister also asked the launch owners not to charge passengers extra during their Eid journey. “Actions will be taken if there is any extortion in ferry terminals and launches,” he said.
Passengers can collect tickets from launches till September 15 if they fail to collect those from the ticket counters, Shajahan Khan said.
Noting that there are 46 ferries across the country, the minister said the authorities concerned have been asked to keep the ferries operational. Besides, he said, the government has taken a decision to ban the ferrying of goods-laden truck through ferry terminals and the plying of sand-laden vessels on river routes for one week (from three days before and three days after Eid-ul-Azha) to ensure smooth journey of the Eid holidaymakers.
The BGMEA and BKMEA authorities have been asked to provide leave to garment workers in phases so that they can travel to their home safely, the minister added, according to a news agency.
- biplab