Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on Wednesday said the government will take action against launch owners if they charge extra fares from passengers going to celebrate upcoming Eid-ul-Azha with their near and dear ones at their village homes.
He said this while speaking at a press briefing after an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Shipping Ministry over the safety of the launch passengers during their travel on the eve of Eid celebration. The shipping minister said there will be no hike in the launch fare during the Eid. “The fare will remain the same.”
He said the officials of BIWTA will be deployed at all important river ports so that unscrupulous launch owners could not carry passengers beyond their capacity and not charge extra fare from the passengers. Shajahan said the BIWTA has also taken necessary preparations to maintain smooth navigability for launches during the Eid vacation.
He said eight more launches will run on Chandpur and Barisal routes and two steamers of BIWTC will be working during the Eid vacation apart from the regular ones. The minister said cargoes and sand-laden trawlers will be kept out of service at night to ensure safety of the launch passengers.
He also said the movement of trucks, covered vans and lorries on national and regional highways will remain restricted for six days starting three days before Eid-ul-Azha. “No cattle market will be allowed in the launch terminal areas as well as important roads leading to the launch terminals,” he said.
Members of Launch Owner’s Association, deputy commissioners and police supers of the districts concerned and high officials of BIWTC were present at the meeting. – UNB
