Sea truck service on Golachipa-Char Montaj route

BIWTA sea truck ST Khijir-5 sailed from Galachipa launch terminal for Char Montaj in the coastal area yesterday with 50 passengers on board. PHOTO: STAR

Sea truck ST Khijir-5 sailed for Char Montaj from Galachipa at 8 am with 50 passengers.

Galachipa Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mezbah Uddin inaugurated the service at Golachipa launch terminal.

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About one-and-a half lakh people of shoal areas in six unions of the upazila had been demanding sea truck service on the route.

Bangladesh Inland Water transport Corporation (BIWTC) opened the service. Launch service in the risky coastal route was stopped after a launch--Prince of Patuakhali-- sank in the Buragouranga river in the route on May 15, killing over 80 people.

After suspension of the launch service, country boats and trawlers were used by people in the route.

Plying of launch in the route is prohibited from March 15 to October 15, the season of sorms.

Every year, during monsoon, launch disasters take place in the risky route, claiming lives.

People of the outlying coastal areas had long been demanding introduction of sea truck in routes in.