Special launch service for Eid from Oct 20
Private launch owners will start special service from October 20, while the state-run Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will start the service from October 22 to deal with the rush of home-bound passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Launch operators have announced 10 percent discount in launch fare for the deck passengers who will travel more than 50 kilometres.
The decisions came at a meeting among all the stakeholders of the country's water transport sector at the conference room of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in the capital yesterday.
"We operate launch services on 58 routes from Dhaka. The special services will start on 55 routes from October 20, while it will be started on three routs, Dhaka to Barisal, Dhaka to Bhola and Dhaka to Patuakhali, on October 23," said Badiuzzaman Badal, senior vice president of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carrier's) Association.
The special service, which will start on October 20, will continue till November 8, while the service, which will start on October 23, will continue till November 6, he said.
BIWTC Chairman Mojibor Rahman said they will operate six steamers to provide the service till October 28.
The meeting also decided to keep law enforcement agencies and other related bodies on alert to check overloading, overcrowding and riding of passengers on launch roofs.
BIWTA Chairman Dr Shamsuddoha Khandaker said they will also disseminate messages through mass media to raise awareness to avoid launch accident.
Representatives from shipping department, police, Rab, Coast Guard, Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carrier's) Association also attended the meeting.
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