Steps taken to facilitate Eid movement on waterways

About three weeks ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest religious festival of the Muslims, a slew of measures have been announced by the shipping ministry to facilitate the movement of home-bound across the country. They include withdrawal of tolls from three ferry ghats: Kawrakandi of Madaripur district, Paturia of Manikganj district and Daulatdia of Rajbari. Besides, special launches, ferries and other watercraft will be in service ahead of the Eid to ease the congestions on those already in service. Additional security measures will be taken to ensure safe journey of the waterways passengers while steps will be taken to prevent black-marketing of tickets, including advance tickets. The decision came at a meeting held at the Shipping Ministry in the city. The meeting decided that no vessel would be allowed to overload. And that launches have to depart before they cross their load levels. Besides, no further loading through boats or otherwise, would be allowed. It was also decided that no extra fare could be charged from passengers. Besides, fishing nets cannot be spread on navigation routes. The station of all crew including driver, master and other employees have to be ensured while loading passengers. The meeting decided that for three days before Eid and for three days after Eid, only trucks carrying essential commodities would use ferries. No other truck or covered vans would be entitled to use it. All cargo vessels including sand-laden bulkheads will not ply after dusk (from dusk to dawn) for five days before Eid and for a similar number of days after Eid. Vigilance teams from the shipping ministry and mobile courts will ensure the enforcement of the rules, according to a news agency.