Barisal port needs more pontoons to anchor special Eid launches

The Barisal river port requires more pontoons to anchor special launches during the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azah. More than 15 triple-decker passenger vessels will arrive here from Dhaka, but these vessels do not have the minimal space to anchor in the terminals. Conceding these facts, Barisal port officer Md Mustafizur Rahman said the port has six pontoons for anchoring the vessels. Of these, local launches are already using three. The other three pontoons have space of only 360 feet, which is not sufficient for anchoring the 15 to 23 triple-decker launches.
To overcome the problems, the port requires at least two more pontoons with space of 240 feet here. Large numbers of Eid passengers have already suffered a great deal during the Eid journey. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will start Eid special steamer services from Dhaka over a period of 13 days, from September 7 to September 19. Everyday, at least one regular and one special vessel would connect different destinations of the Dhaka–Barisal–Morelganj–Barisal–Dhaka routes for homebound passengers on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azah.
The BIWTC, in cooperation with the Launch Owners’ Association, had arranged 13-day-long special launch services from September 8 on 22 major river routes, including in Barisal, Chandpur, Letrabazar, Torki, Patuakhali, Kalaia, Rangabali, Bhola, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan, Barguna, Amtali, Ichli, Madaripur and Hularhut, connecting Dhaka river port and Chandpur, Barisal, Taltatala, Ramchandrapur, Machhuakhali and Sureshwar connecting Narayanganj and Chandpur river ports.
The special launch services will continue till September 20, said a source with the Barisal Launch Owner’s Association.
A committee has also been formed at every major river port, comprising the representatives of the local administration, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), shipping ministry, law enforcement agencies and Launch Owners’ Association to ensure that rules are followed towards a smooth and safe riverine transport system. They also aim to prevent snatching, mugging and harassment of water transport passengers during rush time.
Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan visited Barisal river port on Sunday over preparations for embarking and disembarking facilities for water transport and passengers. He said the relevant departments have been asked to ensure safety and security of passengers and vessels during Eid.
Pointing out that thousands in the southern region use waterways and water transport for visiting their near and dear ones during Eid vacations, the minister urged the district administration, law enforcement agencies and shipping ministry officials to make sufficient preparations to preclude any fatal accident, and ensure safety and security of vessels and passengers during embarkations and disembarkations.
Hoping for a reduction in the number of marine accidents and casualties to nil in the current year, the shipping minister said during the tenure of the Four-Party Alliance government that the annual number of marine accidents was 31 (highest) and 20 (lowest). However, the present government has reduced these figures to 16 and 2, he stated.
Closed-circuit cameras have already been installed at the ports and vessels and would gradually also be installed at all relevant offices to prevent sabotage, he disclosed. He advised passengers to be aware and avoid boarding overloaded vessels to preclude any accident.
The shipping minister further said the World Bank has sanctioned low-interest loans of Tk. 3,200 crore for dredging, maintaining the navigability of river ways, and also for developing and modernising river ports.
The dredging of river ways from Chittagong to Ashuganj has already started, and more development and modernisation projects would also be undertaken as soon as funds are provided.
Barisal’s deputy commissioner Dr Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, and officials of law enforcement agencies, BIWTC and BIWTA were also present during the visit of the minister to Barisal river port.

 

Barisal port needs more pontoons to anchor special Eid launches

The Barisal river port requires more pontoons to anchor special launches during the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azah. More than 15 triple-decker passenger vessels will arrive here from Dhaka, but these vessels do not have the minimal space to anchor in the terminals. Conceding these facts, Barisal port officer Md Mustafizur Rahman said the port has six pontoons for anchoring the vessels. Of these, local launches are already using three. The other three pontoons have space of only 360 feet, which is not sufficient for anchoring the 15 to 23 triple-decker launches. To overcome the problems, the port requires at least two more pontoons with space of 240 feet here. Large numbers of Eid passengers have already suffered a great deal during the Eid journey. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will start Eid special steamer services from Dhaka over a period of 13 days, from September 7 to September 19. Everyday, at least one regular and one special vessel would connect different destinations of the DhakaBarisalMorelganjBarisalDhaka routes for homebound passengers on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azah. The BIWTC, in cooperation with the Launch Owners Association, had arranged 13-day-long special launch services from September 8 on 22 major river routes, including in Barisal, Chandpur, Letrabazar, Torki, Patuakhali, Kalaia, Rangabali, Bhola, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan, Barguna, Amtali, Ichli, Madaripur and Hularhut, connecting Dhaka river port and Chandpur, Barisal, Taltatala, Ramchandrapur, Machhuakhali and Sureshwar connecting Narayanganj and Chandpur river ports. The special launch services will continue till September 20, said a source with the Barisal Launch Owners Association. A committee has also been formed at every major river port, comprising the representatives of the local administration, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), shipping ministry, law enforcement agencies and Launch Owners Association to ensure that rules are followed towards a smooth and safe riverine transport system. They also aim to prevent snatching, mugging and harassment of water transport passengers during rush time. Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan visited Barisal river port on Sunday over preparations for embarking and disembarking facilities for water transport and passengers. He said the relevant departments have been asked to ensure safety and security of passengers and vessels during Eid. Pointing out that thousands in the southern region use waterways and water transport for visiting their near and dear ones during Eid vacations, the minister urged the district administration, law enforcement agencies and shipping ministry officials to make sufficient preparations to preclude any fatal accident, and ensure safety and security of vessels and passengers during embarkations and disembarkations. Hoping for a reduction in the number of marine accidents and casualties to nil in the current year, the shipping minister said during the tenure of the Four-Party Alliance government that the annual number of marine accidents was 31 (highest) and 20 (lowest). However, the present government has reduced these figures to 16 and 2, he stated. Closed-circuit cameras have already been installed at the ports and vessels and would gradually also be installed at all relevant offices to prevent sabotage, he disclosed. He advised passengers to be aware and avoid boarding overloaded vessels to preclude any accident. The shipping minister further said the World Bank has sanctioned low-interest loans of Tk. 3,200 crore for dredging, maintaining the navigability of river ways, and also for developing and modernising river ports. The dredging of river ways from Chittagong to Ashuganj has already started, and more development and modernisation projects would also be undertaken as soon as funds are provided. Barisals deputy commissioner Dr Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, and officials of law enforcement agencies, BIWTC and BIWTA were also present during the visit of the minister to Barisal river port.