Launches ply by set rules

Most launches left Sadarghat river-port terminal in the capital Saturday on time -- and largely abiding by agreed rules set for the time of Eid rush.
Launch operators said they were not charging fares beyond the rates fixed by the government.
Seventy-seven launches sailed off the terminal on July 24, 2014 and 17 of those were special services. Similarly, 83 launches left the terminal on July 25. Of those, 23 were special services. Ninety launches left the terminal on July 26. Out of them, 30 were special services, said the BIWTA sources at Sadarghat.   
Earlier, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), launch owners and other government agencies concerned in a meeting on July 16 in the capital decided to take some measures for the smooth run of waterway traffic.    
The steps include sale of tickets as per government-fixed rates and not allowing passengers to travel on the rooftop of the launches ahead of the Eid festival, to be celebrated either on July 29 or 30 depending on moon sighting.  
During a visit to the river terminal, passengers said on the day they were not asked to pay extras beyond the government decision.   
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, who visited Sadarghat Launch Terminal in the morning and afternoon on the day for a tight supervision, said the government is committed to offering 'a hassle-free journey' to the homebound people for celebrating the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
"The main aim of our efforts is to ensure hassle-free, smooth travel for homebound launch passengers. We are trying our best to provide good services and security to the passengers," he told the media at the crowded terminal.   
The passengers, however, urged the BIWTA authorities to keep the launch terminal out of 'hawker menace' during the Eid season as they sometimes create obstruction to the way of getting on board the launch.
The BIWTA has declared the pontoon area of Sadarghat launch terminal hawker-free for the Eid festival, but a section of hawkers Saturday tried to violate of the directives. And this led to a brief scuffle between the hawkers and the BIWTA officials.  
Later, coastguards and police along with the BIWTA officials beefed up security at the ghat.
The shipping minister said the government will take action against the launch owners if they fail to follow the decisions taken at a meeting between the government and the owners.