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MANIKGANJ, March 28, 2025 (BSS) – Ahead of the holy Ed-ul-Fitr, the authorities concerned have taken necessary preparations to ensure smooth journey of the homebound passengers through Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat ghats, the key transit points to the southern 21 districts and crucial waterways to northern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Additional General Manager at Paturia Ghat Abdus Salam said to ensure smooth and safe transport of passengers and vehicles, 17 big Ro-Ro, medium and small ferries have been operating in between Paturia-Daulatdia route.

On the other hand, six small and big ferries have been operating between Arich-Kazirhat regularly to help reduce traffic congestion at both the routes-Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat.

Manikganj District Police sources said about 600 police, both uniform and plainclothes, deployed across the 36-kilometer road in Manikganj as well as on the Paturia and Aricha waterways. 

To ensure efficient traffic management, a coordination meeting was held recently among the district administration, police, BIWTC, BIWTA, transport sectors leaders and the relevant ferry terminal authorities.  

Manikganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Yasmin Khatun visited the Dhaka-Aricha Highway and Paturiaand Aricha ferry terminals to inspect the overall preparations.

 “This year, everyone must stay alert to prevent incidents such as pick pocketing, drug gangs and other unpleasant events in and around the vehicles, terminals ferries and launches’, SP added. 

Besides the ferries, a total of 20 launches have been operating between Paturia-Daulatdia and 12 launches between Aricha-Kazirhat. 41 Speed boats are also running between Aricha-Kazirhat for ferrying the home bound passengers during the Eid.