The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Inland Transport Authority (BIWTA) is going to take stern action against the launches overloaded with passengers from the 21st Ramadan.

It was informed at a meeting at the conference room of BIWTA's Motijheel office Tuesday morning.

Presided over by BIWTA chairman Abdul Mannan Hawlader, the meeting was also attended by Director General of Shipping Captain AKM Shafiullah, acting president of Bangladesh Inland Water Passenger Carriers Association (BIWPCA) Al Haj Badiuzzaman Badal and senior officials of BIWTA and BIWPCA.

BIWTA Chairman said, "No launches will be allowed to carry passengers on its top deck as we want every home bound passengers to reach their destinations safely and timely".

The meeting decided to brief the launch masters about the decision and to deploy volunteers alongside the law enforcers at the launch terminals to maintain discipline there ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Launches will not be allowed to anchor in midstream of the River Buriganga. Launch masters will anchor their launches only on the northern side of the river.

Number of the existing platoons and gangways will be increased before the Eid, which will be deployed to the specific launch routes.

The meeting asked the official concerned to hang chart of the launch fare. It also asked the launch masters to leave the terminal soon after the port officers ask them to leave.