Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) started 10-day special steamer services from Dhaka-end on Monday on the occasion of upcoming Eid-Ul-Azha with seven vessels. The Eid special services of BIWTC vessels with regular services will continue till September 30, said Azmal Hossain, deputy general manager ( commercial/ passengers) of BIWTC, Barisal. According to the announced schedule, PS Turn and MV Madhumoti left Dhaka river port at 6:30 PM Monday.
BIWTC sources said seven BIWTC vessels, including   four pedal wheel steamers PS Mahsud, PS Ostrich, PS Lepcha, PS Turn, and three screw wheel motor vessels MV Madhumoti, MV Bangali, MV Shela have been placed to carry passengers to their destinations connecting Chandpur, Barisal, Jhalakathi, Hularhut of Pirojpur and Morelganj of Bagerhaat districts under this special schedule, he added. Syed Abul Kalam Azad, assistant general manager in charge of BIWTC Barisal station, said MV Shela started plying on the Dhaka-Chandpur and Chandpur-Barisal routes. Barisal  and Narayanganj BIWTC stations had been asked to keep ready to provide special tug boats and piloting services and be prepared to face any emergency calls, the BIWTC  official said. On the other hand, BIWTA sources said during Eid special service, a total of 22 vessels operate on  the Dhaka-Barisal river route. Highest rush of passengers is expected on September 23 and 24 from Dhaka and on September 27 to 30 from Barisal ends. Abul Bashar Majumdar, deputy director (river safety and traffic management) of BIWTA, Barisal office, said the port authorities completed safe berthing arrangements at the ports.