Sand-carrying bulkhead traffic banned for 10 days
City Desk :
Shipping Adviser Brig. Gen. (retd) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain on Wednesday said all sand-carrying bulkheads traffic will be strictly prohibited, both day and night, for three days before and seven days after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha to ensure passengers safety on waterways.
“All types of sand-carrying bulkheads traffic will be completely banned, day and night, for three days before and seven days after Eid-ul-Azha to ensure the safety of homebound passengers on waterways,” he told at a press briefing after a meeting in the Secretariat, according to a ministry release, reports BSS.
He also stated that any complaints about excessive fares or overcrowding on waterways during the Eid journey would be dealt strictly.
The meeting focused on taking appropriate measures to ensure smooth, orderly, and safe navigation, as well as passenger safety, during the Eid-ul-Azha.
The adviser emphasized that the government-approved fare chart must be displayed prominently at every launch and terminal. Failure to do so will result in action against the owner, he said.
He noted frequent complaints during Eid about passengers being overcharged often 1.5 to 2 times than the fixed fare, and warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for that during the upcoming Eid.
Sakhawat made it clear that lessees at Sadarghat and other terminals must not harass passengers or impose extra charges.
To ease travel during Eid-ul-Azha, ferry crossings for general trucks and covered vans, except those carrying daily essentials and perishable goods, will be suspended for three days before and three days after the festival, he added.
The adviser said rescue vessels will remain standby for emergency assistance and rescue operations, and law enforcement agencies will be deployed at all river ports, terminals, and ghats to ensure passengers safety.
In addition, district administrations will form task forces and operate mobile courts to enforce regulations, he said.
Launch owners have been instructed to deploy four Ansar members on each long-distance launch for passenger security, he said, adding, if failures to comply do so owners will be responsible for any accidents.
He mentioned that all launch and terminal staffs must wear designated uniforms and ID cards.
The adviser said special patrols by the Coast Guard, River Police, and Bangladesh Navy will be conducted in high-risk areas, including the Shitalakshya River in Narayanganj, Gazaria in Munshiganj, and the Meghna River in Barishal.
He also announced that the road from Zero Point to Sadarghat in Dhaka will remain open from May 30 to June 14, adding that buses must not be parked on this route, and the police will strictly enforce this rules using wreckers if required.
He informed journalists that he would make surprise visit along the river routes, including Sadarghat, to review Eid travel preparations.
Additionally, he announced that ferry services on the Chilmari-Roumari route will resume from tomorrow, following necessary dredging ahead of the Eid.
Senior Secretary Mohammad Yusuf, along with senior officials of the ministry, heads of various departments/agencies, representatives of the district administration, Bangladesh Police, Coast Guard, Naval Police and Fire Service were present at the meeting.