BIWTC to start ferry service for motorcycles at Shimulia from Tuesday

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will start ferry services to operate from 6am on Tuesday (17 April) on the Shimulia-Majhikandi sea route to carry passenger motorcycles.

A medium ferry "Kalmi Lata" operated from Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj to Majhikandi Ghat in Shariatpur on Monday on a test-run basis, BIWTC Shimulia Ghat Manager (Commercial) Jamal Hossain told The Business Standard.

He said two medium ferries – Kunjalata and Kalmi Lata – will be used to cross motorcycles on the Shimulia-Mazhikandi sea route every three hours, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The old VIP ferry ghat no 4 of Shimulia will be used for ferry movement, he added.

The fare per motorcycle is fixed at Tk150.

The number of ferries may be increased later if the pressure heightens, and the service will continue after Eid as per the demand.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has allowed ferry movement under the Padma Bridge in view of BIWTC's request to allow motorcyclists to cross on Eid, the decision was given in a letter Thursday (13 April).

The bridges authority gave no objection in operating the ferry across the Padma Bridge.

Law enforcers will be deployed from Kuchiamora in Sirajdikhan to Padma Bridge and Shimulia Ghat area from Tuesday morning to ensure smooth travel of passengers during Eid.

Moreover, the river police will also work during this time, said Munshiganj Superintendent of Police Mahfuzur Rahman Al Mamun.

Besides on Tuesday, BIWTC's passenger ship "MV Madhumati" will start its Eid journey from Dhaka Sadarghat (Lalkuthi) wharf to Chandpur-Barishal-Jhalkathi-Kaukhali-Hularhat-Charkhali and Baramachua.