PM inaugurates MV Bangalee on Dhaka-Barisal route

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday commissioned a new passenger vessel, MV Bangalee, on Dhaka-Barisal route via Chandpur river port. Launched at Sadarghat Terminal in old part of Dhaka city, the Prime Minister also travelled to Mohonpur in Chandpur district, by the new 750-capacity river vessel. Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Expatriate Welfare Minister Engineer Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Food Minister Kamrul Islam, Haji Mohammad Selim, MP and Kazi Firoz Rashid Chowdhury, MP accompanied the Prime Minister during the travel. The new vessel, built with local resources costing Tk 260.8 million, has been added to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), aiming to improve its passenger services. Local shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard Limited under a project of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) built the 75.50-meter long and 12.50-meter wide vessel in 16 months. There are four single VIP/family suits, 34 double cabins and four single cabins, 18 double cabins and 84 chairs apart from the capacity to accommodate 550 normal passengers. The fare of its air-conditioned single cabin is Tk 1,050 while that of double cabin Tk 3,740. The fare of single cabin without air-conditioner is Tk 630, while that of VIP cabin is Tk 2,000. The vessel, also having the capacity to carry 100 tonnes of goods, can run at the highest speed of 11.50 nautical miles or 21.298 km per hour. The second new watercraft, MV Modhumoti, is likely to join the BIWTC’s fleet next month. The new vessels are expected to bring much-needed relief to the BIWTC fleet of five worn-out paddle steamers, according to UNB.