Lease of ferry, launch terminals to be cancelled from July 1

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan yesterday said the lease of 14 ferry terminals and eight launch terminals would be cancelled from July 1 next to facilitate the passengers during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, reports BSS.
The minister advised the passengers of cars, bus drivers and ferry operator not buy ticket from any place other than ticket counters. He also advised to lodge complains with the police in case of forceful selling of tickets by the outsiders. He said this while presiding over an inter- ministerial meeting to ensure safe and sound journey for the Eid passengers.
The meeting was held at the auditorium of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Motijheel in the capital.
The minister said if there is any problem in transporting passengers by launches, ferries would be used for the purpose during the Eid.
He said the owners of speed boats have become reckless to ferry passengers. They even do not provide the passengers with lifejackets, he added.
The minister rejected the notion that none is punished after probing launch accidents and said 80 percent of such cases from2009 to 2014 were settled.
The offenders were punished after most of the launch accidents and discipline has returned in the sector, he added.
Shahajan Khan said the shipping ministry would be tougher during this Eid to maintain discipline.
He urged the garment factory owners to grant leave to workers in phases so that the transport sector can cope with the pressure.
Shipping Secretary Shafiq Alam Mehedi, BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mozammel Haq, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman, Launch Owners Association President Mahabuddin Ahmed, senior officials and representatives from the district and police administrations of Barisal, Manikganj, Keraniganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Patuakhali attended the
meeting.

 

Lease of ferry, launch terminals to be cancelled from July 1

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan yesterday said the lease of 14 ferry terminals and eight launch terminals would be cancelled from July 1 next to facilitate the passengers during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, reports BSS. The minister advised the passengers of cars, bus drivers and ferry operator not buy ticket from any place other than ticket counters. He also advised to lodge complains with the police in case of forceful selling of tickets by the outsiders. He said this while presiding over an inter- ministerial meeting to ensure safe and sound journey for the Eid passengers. The meeting was held at the auditorium of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Motijheel in the capital. The minister said if there is any problem in transporting passengers by launches, ferries would be used for the purpose during the Eid. He said the owners of speed boats have become reckless to ferry passengers. They even do not provide the passengers with lifejackets, he added. The minister rejected the notion that none is punished after probing launch accidents and said 80 percent of such cases from2009 to 2014 were settled. The offenders were punished after most of the launch accidents and discipline has returned in the sector, he added. Shahajan Khan said the shipping ministry would be tougher during this Eid to maintain discipline. He urged the garment factory owners to grant leave to workers in phases so that the transport sector can cope with the pressure. Shipping Secretary Shafiq Alam Mehedi, BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mozammel Haq, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman, Launch Owners Association President Mahabuddin Ahmed, senior officials and representatives from the district and police administrations of Barisal, Manikganj, Keraniganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Patuakhali attended the meeting.