News Flash
DHAKA, March 15, 2025 (BSS) - As part of the government decision to enhance
security on naval routes to ensure safe and smooth travel of the homebound
passengers by waterways ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, four Ansar men
will be deployed on each of the launches from tomorrow.
As per the decision of the Shipping Ministry meeting, four Ansar members will
be deployed on each of launches from tomorrow (15th Ramadan or March 16) to
two days after the Eid alongside regular and special patrols by the law
enforcement agencies, including the Navy in waterways and launch terminals.
For this, the launch owners will have to bear the duty allowances fixed by
the government.
There will be regular patrols by the Navy, Police, RAB, Naval Police and
Coast Guard to prevent robbery, extortion and harassment and intimidation of
workers and passengers in Narayanganj, Gazaria-Munshiganj, Chandpur and
Barishal-Bhola waterways and other waterways across the country as well.
In a meeting on March 6, the Ministry of Shipping decided to take numerous
measures that include strengthening security in waterways as the shipping
owners present in the meeting called for giving special importance on the
security issue.
Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Rtd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain in the meeting
highlighted various steps taken to ensure the safety of homebound passengers
by waterways during the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
He said necessary instructions have been given to the relevant authorities in
this regard.
The Ministry of Shipping has already instructed to take strict action against
charging more than the permitted fare and carrying more passengers on
launches during this Eid-ul-Fitr.
During the same period, Ansar and community police will be deployed along
with traffic police to keep the Sadarghat launch terminal in Dhaka free of
hawkers.
The concerned departments will take steps to keep the road leading to
Sadarghat Terminal free from traffic jams and hawkers for passenger safety.
To make the Eid journey safe, comfortable and enjoyable, the government has
planned some other measures that included formation of vigilance teams in
each "Ghat" (terminal) area in coordination with the security forces and
implementation of roster duty based on jetty gates and pontoons of each river
port, terminal and "Ghat" point.
Some measures will also be taken to aware passengers alongside monitoring the
overall situation from the watchtower at Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat).
These include, stopping speed boat operations at night and ensuring that
speed boat passengers wear life jackets during the day, stopping bulkhead
(sand-carrying ships) from operating on inland waterways day and night for
five days after Eid from 15th Ramadan, and stopping sand extraction from
Balumahal.
Before Eid, and for the next three days, ferry crossings for general trucks
and covered vans, except for trucks carrying essential and perishable goods,
will be closed.
A total of 46 ferries will be kept operational at seven ferry piers to deal
with traffic congestion while passenger services will be ensured at all river
ports.
BIWTA's control room and hotline will be opened while rescue ships will be
kept ready to conduct rescue operations in case of any accident in the
waterways.
Fire Service and Civil Defense will be kept ready at floating naval fire
stations. Canvassing will be completely closed for boarding passengers on
launches while boarding passengers from the middle of the river has been
prohibited.
It will be mandatory for staff working on launches or ferries to have
prescribed uniforms and ID cards. Passenger awareness and warning messages
and naval notices will be disseminated and displayed at terminals.
