News Flash
BARISHAL, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS) - After remaining out of operation for three
years, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC)'s historic
paddle steamer PS Mahsud has officially resumed service on the Dhaka-Barishal
route.
The iconic vessel left Dhaka at 8:30 am on Friday with 32 passengers on board
and arrived in Barishal exactly 12 hours later at 8:30 pm.
Due to ongoing renovation work at the traditional steamer ghat, the vessel
docked instead at the alternative Trish Godown Ghat. Passengers were welcomed
with flowers by Additional Divisional Commissioner Ahsan Habib and Deputy
Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon.
During its journey, PS Mahsud traveled along the Buriganga, Dhaleswari,
Padma, Dakatia, Meghna, Jayanti, Nayabhangani, and Arial Khan rivers before
anchoring at the Kirtankhola River in Barishal.
Passengers expressed delight at the riverine views throughout the day-long
voyage.
According to BIWTC authorities, the vessel can accommodate 960 passengers.
First Class with 12 cabins for 24 passengers while Second Class with 10
cabins including 20 berths for 40 passengers and Deck Class with more than
900 passengers.
Originally scheduled to resume operations on November 21, the vessel instead
departed on November 28 due to adjustments in scheduling. On its way to
Barishal, PS Mahsud briefly stopped at Chandpur Ghat at 1 pm, but no
passengers boarded.
PS Mahsud, once a key vessel on the Dhaka-Barishal-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal-
Mongla routes for 25 consecutive years, had been taken out of service in 2020
due to prolonged neglect. Following extensive repairs and modernization, the
steamer was re-inaugurated on November 15.
However, as the Barishal Port wharf was not yet ready for docking, officials
decided to use the 30 Godown Ghat near the Food Department's CSD facility for
the vessel's first commercial trip.
BIWTC has set the following fares for passengers to travel-- First Class at
Taka 2,600 while Second Class at Taka 1,650 and Deck Class at Taka 600.
PS Mahsud will now operate weekly. It will depart every Friday at 8:30 am
from Dhaka to Barishal while every Saturday at 8:30 am it will return to
Dhaka from Barishal.
With its return to the waterways, the historic paddle steamer is expected to
draw both tourists and nostalgic river travelers eager to experience one of
Bangladesh's few remaining heritage vessels.
