Narayanganj: The government has planned stringent security measures in waterways to ensure safe and smooth travel of the homebound passengers by waterways ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. At least four Ansars will be deployed in each launch during the Eid-ul-Fitr alongside regular and special patrols by law enforcement agencies, including the Navy in waterways and launch terminals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, there will be regular patrols by the Navy, Police, RAB, Naval Police, and Coast Guard to prevent robbery, extortion, and harassment of workers and passengers in Narayanganj, Gazaria-Munshiganj, Chandpur, and Barisal-Bhola waterways and other waterways across the country. The Ministry of Shipping decided on Thursday to implement numerous measures, including strengthening security in waterways as the shipping owners present at the meeting called for special emphasis on security issues.
In the meeting, Shipping Adviser Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain highlighted various steps taken to ensure the safety of homebound passengers by waterways during Eid-ul-Fitr. He stated that necessary instructions have been given to the relevant authorities in this regard. As per the meeting’s decision, four Ansar members will be deployed on each launch from Ramadan 15 or March 16 to two days after the Eid. The launch owners are required to bear the duty allowances set by the government.
The Ministry of Shipping has already instructed strict action against charging more than the permitted fare and carrying excess passengers on launches during Eid-ul-Fitr. During the same period, Ansar and community police will be deployed along with traffic police to keep the Sadarghat launch terminal in Dhaka free of hawkers. The concerned departments will also take steps to keep the road leading to Sadarghat Terminal free from traffic jams and hawkers for passenger safety.
To make the Eid journey safe, comfortable, and enjoyable, the government has planned additional measures, including forming vigilance teams in each ‘Ghat’ (terminal) area in coordination with the security forces and implementing roster duty based on jetty gates and pontoons of each river port, terminal, and ‘Ghat’ point. Measures will also be taken to educate passengers while monitoring the overall situation from the watchtower at Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat).
These measures include halting speedboat operations at night and ensuring speedboat passengers wear life jackets during the day, stopping bulkhead (sand-carrying ships) operations on inland waterways day and night for five days after Eid from the 15th Ramadan, and halting sand extraction from Balumahal. Before Eid, and for the subsequent three days, ferry crossings for general trucks and covered vans, except for those carrying essential and perishable goods, will be closed.
A total of 46 ferries will be kept operational at seven ferry piers to manage traffic congestion, ensuring passenger services at all river ports. BIWTA’s control room and hotline will be opened, and rescue ships will be kept ready to conduct rescue operations in case of any accident in the waterway. Fire service and civil defense will be on standby at the floating naval fire station. Canvassing will be completely stopped for boarding passengers on launches, and boarding passengers from the middle of the river has been prohibited.
It will be mandatory for staff working on launches or ferries to wear prescribed uniforms and ID cards. Passenger awareness and warning messages, along with naval notices, will be disseminated and displayed at terminals.