There will be no ferry crisis during Eid, says minister

FE Report
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said Friday there will be no ferry crisis during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure smooth journey for the homebound passengers.   
"There will be no ferry crisis during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Homebound passengers will not need to offer eid prayers at the ferry ghat. Ferry will wait for the vehicles at the ghat," he said at a function titled 'Safe Return to Home: Role of the Administration' at the National Press Club on the day.
He said people will be able to go to their respective homes safely and hassle free. The government is alert about smooth travel of the passengers during the Eid festival.
Due to ferry crisis many homebound passengers were forced to offer Eid prayers at ferry ghat in the past.
The government has taken initiatives to change the scenario by deploying new ferries. The ministry of shipping (MoS) has taken initiative to build 17 ferries. And out of the number, it has already built 14. The rest will be built by September this year.
The shipping minister called upon the owners to allow launches to start journey before crossing ' load' level. He called upon the passengers not to travel on the rooftop of the launches.
Samajik Probibesh and Manobadikar Bastabayan Sangstha organised the programme with its Advisory Council president Abu Hussain Babla, MP, in the chair. State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Kamal and Chairman of Samajik Probibesh and Manobadikar Bastabayan Sangstha Lion HM Ibrahim and Secretary General Sujan Dey among others spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has increased its ferry services for ensuring smooth travel for the homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
"We have increased the number of ferries to 43 from 36 to ensure smooth journey of homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid," Chairman of BIWTC Md Mizanur Rahman told the FE.    
He said they had decided to increase the number of ferries aiming to provide smooth services that will help avoid long tailback of vehicles on both sides of the river for ferry service.
The routes on which increased number of ferries to be operated include Mawa- Charjanat, Paturia- Daulatdia, Laharhat- Beduria, Laximpur- Bhola and Chandpur- Shariatpur.
Mr Rahman said that apart from increasing the number of ferries, the BIWTC will increase the number of steamer (rocket) services on different river routes that include Dhaka- Barisal- Moralganj and Chandpur- Barisal to facilitate smooth journey of homebound passengers.
Besides, three coastal steamer services will be operated on Chittagong- Sandwip- Hatiya route. Sea trucks will also operate on Kumira -Sandwip routes.
He said the MoS would monitor waterways transport movement during the Eid-ul-Fitr, allowing people to enjoy the biggest Muslim festival.