BIWTA to start special launch services Tuesday ahead of Eid
Under the arrangements, launch and steamer services will operate on several river routes from Shimulia Tourist Ghat and Basila Launch Ghat in Dhaka from Tuesday (17 March), according to a shipping ministry press release.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will introduce a special passenger service on waterways ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel for homebound passengers.
Under the arrangements, launch and steamer services will operate on several river routes from Shimulia Tourist Ghat and Basila Launch Ghat in Dhaka from Tuesday (17 March), according to a shipping ministry press release.
As part of the special service, six launches from the Basila Launch Ghat and three vessels from the Shimulia Tourist Ghat will transport passengers on various waterways from 17 March until the day before Eid.
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Vessels will run on the Shimulia-Demra-Narayanganj-Chandpur-Kaliganj-Hijla-Barishal route from Shimulia Tourist Ghat, located near Kanchan Bridge.
The ministry has issued necessary instructions to the relevant authorities to ensure that the Eid journey remains safe and well organised.
The authority concerned has taken this special initiative to reduce the additional passenger pressure at the Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat) and facilitate easy travel of passengers through alternative waterways.
Launch schedule from the Basila Launch Ghat before Eid-ul-Fitr is as follows:
MV Tipu will leave on the Basila-Sadarghat-Hakimuddin route at 7am, while MV Imam Hasan-5 will depart for the Basila-Sadarghat-Shariatpur route at 8:30am.
MV Eagle-4 will leave on the Basila-Sadarghat-Chandpur route at 11am, while MV Tipu-6 will leave on the Basila-Sadarghat-Elisha route at 12pm.
MV Bogdadiya-12 and MV Shariatpur-3 will leave on the Basila-Sadarghat-Golachipa route at 1:30pm.
MV Yad-1 will depart for the Basila-Sadarghat-Ilisha route at 5:30pm.
Launch schedule from Shimulia Tourist Ghat (adjacent to Purbachal Kanchan Bridge):
MV Samata and Samriddhi Express will depart for the Shimulia-Chandpur route at 8 am. In addition, MV Samata Samriddhi-1 will depart for the Shimulia-Chandpur route at 9am.
On the other hand, MV Rajarhat B will depart on the Shimulia-Barisal route at 8 am and on the Barisal-Shimulia route at 7pm.
Besides, to improve the quality of services for passengers during the Eid journey, free porter services will be provided from the terminal to the launch for 12 days from 17 March to 28 March to carry the luggage (excluding commercial goods) of elderly and female passengers in the Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat) area.
At the same time, the ministry of Shipping said that wheelchair services for sick and physically challenged passengers will also be provided at the Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat) and the Barisal River Port.
