Dhaka: The government has announced a nationwide suspension of sand-carrying bulkhead and dinghy boat movements from March 16 to 25 to ensure safe travel for passengers heading home during the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was announced by Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam at a special preparatory meeting held at the Shipping Ministry on Thursday afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized the increased passenger pressure on waterways around Eid and underscored the priority of ensuring the safety of passengers’ lives and property during this time. He further announced that speedboat operations will remain completely banned at night during the specified period, and passengers traveling by speedboat during the day must wear life jackets.
A notice signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Kazi Arif Billah, stated that general trucks and covered van ferries-except those carrying essential and perishable goods-will be suspended from March 17 to March 24 to facilitate smooth passenger movement. The minister also issued a stern warning against overcharging passengers and harassment, prohibiting the collection of additional money beyond the approved fare and banning carrying passengers on the roof of launches.
The government plans to enforce these directives through regular mobile court operations at ferry terminals and launch ghats nationwide. Security measures will be heightened with at least four Ansar members deployed on each launch from the 15th of Ramadan until three days after Eid. Vigilance teams will also be formed at each ghat area in coordination with the district administration, police, naval police, and coast guard.
The notification additionally mentioned that sufficient feeder bus services operated by BRTC will be available to ease passenger movement. In emergencies, passengers are advised to contact the national emergency service hotline 999 or the BIWTA hotline 16113.
State Ministers Habibur Rashid and Md. Rajib Ahsan, Shipping Secretary Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, and senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies were present at the meeting.