The New Nation - Internet Edition

Transport fair increased, tickets exhausted : Sufferings of home bound passengers exceed all limits in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Sufferings of home bound passengers to observe Eid festival with the dearest and nearest ones exceeded all limits as transport fares increased and tickets sold out.

According to the water and road transport offices and passenger sources in Barisal, tickets of the most routes for five days before and five days after Eid festival have already been sold out.

After visiting booking offices of different bus and launch offices it was found that only tickets of some irregular and special trips available from transport offices and tickets of regular trips available in black market. Within these ten days, passengers have to pay 40% to 60% increased fare in advance purchase of tickets from transport offices and 80% to 100% increased fare for collecting tickets from black markets to travel by road and water transports. Sources said the one way launch fares for per passenger on Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route has been increased from Tk. 800 to Tk.1400 for double seated cabin, from Tk. 400 to Tk.700 for single seated cabin, from Tk.1800 to Tk.3000 for VIP cabin, from Tk.250 to Tk.400 for per sofa, from Tk.100 to Tk.180 for per deck seat.

On other hand the one-way bus fare on the same route has been increased from Tk.280 to Tk.400 and executable from September 26, 2008 to October 05, 2008. The launch transport offices claimed advance cabin tickets are almost sold out two weeks before the Eid vacation and receipts are given only a PAID rubber stamp, with out mentioning any rate of fare. But giving almost double fare it could be available in black markets from the agents of the Launch and Bus owners and staffs. In the meantime Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation announced ten days Eid special services from Dhaka end on September 25 and will continue until October 5, 2008 with 34 regular and 21 special trips by five vessels of the corporation. However advance ticketing would not be possible except Dhaka and Khulna stations and conditions of BIWTC vessel selected for these special trips yet not in fittest condition for smooth plying. Barisal BIWTC sources said out of five BIWTC vessels PS Mahsud and MV Sela still at Narayanganj dockyard and conditions of PS Lepcha and Turn are vulnerable.

Only PS Ostrich is fit for regular long trips and so special trips of BIWTC steamer services may be special for foiling the joy of Eid passenger by breaking down at any point of the journey. On other hand the ferry vessel of railway named Sonargaon leased on special Eid trips of BIWTC in previous years, would not be available for Eid special service in this year.

Khalid Newaz, manager of BIWTC Barisal station, said that all vessels plying on this route must touch Chandppur and Barisal stations on all up and down trips. However Barisal station has only a name enlisting counter, not a advance ticket selling counter and names enlisted here would be send to Dhaka and Khulna for reservation and issuing ticket. Launch and bus owner's association's sources said the fare on the same route fixed by the government was Tk.284 for per bus passenger and Tk.133 for per launch deck passenger. But through out the year they carrying the passengers less than that rate.

Launch owners demanded that still the increased fare is less than the government fixed fare chart of distances as TK. 133 for deck and four times more of that for single seat of cabin passengers. However, they did not answer that why that fare is low at other times and increased in Eid seasons. Fare of launches, trawlers and ferries plying on different local, inter district routes either than Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal also would be increased at least 40% to 60% fare on excuse of coming Eid festival creating much pressure on the passenger depended on water transports in river isolated region of Barisal division.

Farmers lay siege on Narail-Magura highway for adequate fertiliser

Our Correspondent, Narail

Farmers of Pajarkhali area of Habakhali union under Narail sadar upazila laid siege to Narail-Magura Highway for over five hours demanding fertiliser on Sunday. Putting trees on the road they obstructed traffic, keeping hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides. District Joint Forces team rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Local and Police sources said farmers of the said area were standing in a queue for urea from early in the morning. But they were not given any fertiliser, even the dealer did not open his shop. Being dissatisfied the farmers brought out a procession carrying empty sacks and blocked the road near Pajarkhali bazar under Narail sadar upazila from 7.00 Noon to 12.00PM sitting on the road and putting logs thereon.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Jahanara Begum, District Agriculture Officer Biplob Kumar Saha and OC of Narial Police Station M Nazrul Islam rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control. But after their failure the Joint Forces team rushed to the spot. They gave assurance to supply fertiliser the next day (Monday) and the farmers withdrew their blockade after having assurance of getting available amount of fertiliser.

When contacted Deputy Director of Agriculture Anil Chandra Roy said, there is no shortage of fertiliser in the district. Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer submitted a requisition of 20 metric tonnes urea for the said area and we delivered it. Why the farmers did not get urea we do not know, he added.

5,690 uplift schemes taken under 100-day job generation programmes in Mymensingh

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Some 5,690 uplift schemes taken in Mymensingh under government 100-day employment generation programme. The Mymensingh District Administration has taken up some 5,690 uplift schemes under government's 100-day employment generation programme creating employment opportunities for 96,540 poor people.

District Relief and Rehabilitation officials said the works of the schemes began from 15th September. According to the officials some 6010 workers have been enlisted for implementing 162 schemes in Haluaghat upazila at Tk 3,60,60,000, 12,430 workers, 345 projects Tk 7,45,80,000 in Fulpur, Gouripur Project-160, enlisted 6820, Tk 4,09,20,000, Mymensingh Sadar enlisted 10,230, Projects 135, Tk 6,13,80,000, Muktagacha enlisted 8,140, Projects 757, Tk 4,88,40,000, Fulbaria enlisted 9,140, Projects 793, Tk 5,64,60,000, Trishal enlisted 8,550, Projects 794, Tk 5,13,00,000, Ishwarganj enlisted 7,660 Project 241, Tk 4,59,60,000, Nandail enlisted 8,200, Projects 570s Tk, 4,92,00,000, Gaffargaon enlist 7,710, Projects 943 Tk 462,60,00,000, Bhaluka enlisted 6280, Projects 606, Tk 3,76,80,000, Dhubara enlisted 5,100, Projects 184, Tk 3,0,00,000.

Talal 12 upazilas enlisted workers 96,540, Projects 5,690, Total Tk 57,92,40,000. D.C (Mymn) inaugurated the Programme on 15th September at Gagra Union under Sadar Upazila.

4 dacoits arrested with firearms in Noakhali

BSS, Noakhali

Police arrested four dacoits and seized firearms from their possession at East Chandragonj Bazar under Begumganj upazila in Noakhali district. Acting on a tip-off, a team of Begumganj police raided a shop of Chandraganj Bazar when Saiful Islam, 21, Mahfuz, 22, Maksudur Rahman, 20, of Raipur Upazila under Laxmipur district and Md. Hossain, 29, of Chandpur district while they were taking preparation for committing a dacoity.

Police seized one foreign-made rifle, a light gun, four bullets and other lethal weapons.

A case was filed with Begumganj police station in this connection.

Academic feat

Our Correspondent, Natore

Masuda Aktar Bristi has obtained GPA-5 in HSC examination from Rajapur Degree College in Baraigram Upazila under Rajshahi Board this year. Her father died in her childhood. Due to hard industry she has achieved this success.

She seeks blessings from all.

Discussion on social values held in Durgapur

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

A discussion meeting on "Social values" was held at Berishiri Radanath Hall room in Durgapur Upazila of Netrakona district recently.

Bangladesh Wokd Vision, Durgapur area unit and Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Samaj (BAGACHAS) organised the meeting. President of Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Samaj Partha Pratim Sangma presided over the meeting and it was addressed, among others, by Principal of Durgapur Primary Teachers Training Institute Manindra Nath Marak, Professor Remond Areng, Professor Barendra Drang and Programme Officer of World Vision, Durgapur area unit Jugendra Barman. Later the meeting was followed by a tribal cultural show. A large number of Garo tribal students and local people attended the discussion meeting and witnessed the tribal cultural show.

News Briefs

Extremist arrested with firearms in Khulna

Khulna, Sept 23: Police arrested an extremist along with three firearms and 5 rounds of bullet from Aichgati area of Rupsha upazila early Saturday. Acting on secret information, police conducted a drive in the area at about 3:00am and arrested Abdul Matin Mallik, 30, member of an extremist group, along with three guns and five rounds of bullet. A case was filed with local police, reports UNB.

8 factory owner fined in Bhairab

Bhairab (Kishoreganj), Sept 23: A mobile court here fined owners of eight vermicelli and mosquito coil factories on Saturday. The court, led by Executive Magistrate M Ruhul Amin, found the factories manufacturing vermicelli and coils in most unhygienic environment and selling those with fake BSTI seal. The mobile court also realized Tk 1.95 lakh in fine from the factory owners, reports UNB.

50 hurt in Sunamganj clash

Sylhet, Sept 23: At least 50 people were injured in a fierce clash at Tuker bazaar in Sadar upazila of Sunamganj district Saturday. Police quoting witnesses said Abdul Malek of Jogairgaon village and Abdul Wahid of nearby Inatnagar village locked into an altercation at the bazaar over buying fish on Thursday. Later, following the incident, arbitration was held at the bazaar on Saturday noon. But Abdul Malek at one stage refusing to accept the decision of the arbitrators asked his people to take revenge that triggered the fierce clash between the people of the two villages, reports UNB.

One killed in Satkhira road mishap

Satkhira, Sept 23: A rickshaw-van puller was killed and five others, including a college teacher, were injured in a road accident at Tujulpur in Sadar uapzila on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Abdul Ahad, 28, son of Asgar Ali at Matbari village. Police and witnesses said the accident occurred at about 7:00am when a Jessore bound bus rammed into the rickshaw-van and a motorcycle from behind. The van driver Abdul Ahad died on the spot while five others, including the motorcyclists Abul Kalam Azad and his mother, sustained serious injuries, reports UNB.

One electrocuted in Jhenidah

Jhenidah, Sept 23: A young man was electrocuted at Bidyadharpur in Moheshpur upazila on Friday. The victim was identified as Mohidul Islam, son of Malik Mandol, of the village. Local people said Mohidul died on the spot as he came in contact with a live electric wire while cutting bamboo beside an electric pole. In another incident a local Awami League leader, Shamsher Dhani, 55, died in a snake bite at Balorampur village in Kaligonj upazila on Friday. Family sources said a poisonous snake bit him when he was going out of his house. He died on the way to Khulna Medical College Hospital, reports UNB.

Two burnt alive in gas cylinder blast in Narsingdi

Narsingdi, Sept 23: Two people were burnt alive as gas cylinder of a CNG-run truck exploded after collision between the truck and a covered van at Palbari in Sadar uapzila on Dhaka-Sylhet highway early Sunday. The dead were identified as covered van driver Ismail Hossain Liton, 47, and his helper whose name could not be known immediately. Witnesses said when the Sylhet bound covered van from Dhaka collided with Ghorashal bound sand laden truck the gas cylinder of the truck exploded and both the vehicles caught fire at about 3am, killing the two people on the spot, reports UNB.