Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday commissioned a locally built new passenger vessel, MV Bangalee, on Dhaka-Barisal route via Chandpur.
Launched at Sadarghat in the capital, the Prime Minister also travelled to Mohonpur, Chandpur by the new 750-capacity river vessel.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Expatriate Welfare Minister Engineer Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Food Minister Kamrul Islam, Haji Mohammad Selim, MP and Kazi Firoz Rashid Chowdhury, MP accompanied the Prime Minister during the travel.
The new vessel, built with local resources costing Tk 26.80 crore, has been added to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), aiming to improve its passenger services.Western Marine Shipyard Limited, a local shipbuilding company, built the 75.50-meter long and 12.50-meter wide vessel in 16 months under a project of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
There are four single VIP/family suits, 34 double cabins and four single cabins, 18 double cabins and 84 chairs apart from the capacity to accommodate 550 normal passengers.
The fare of its air-conditioned single cabin is Tk 1,050, that of double cabin Tk 3,740. The fare of single cabin without air-conditioner is Tk 630, and that of VIP cabin is Tk 2,000.
The vessel, also having the capacity to carry 100 tonnes of goods, can run at the highest speed of 11.50 nautical miles or 21.298 km per hour.
The second new watercraft, MV Modhumoti, is likely to join the BIWTC’s fleet next month. The new vessels are expected to bring much-needed relief to the BIWTC fleet of five worn-out paddle steamers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister termed launching of the new ship as a milestone for the shipping sector.
She said her government’s aim is to lead the country to further progress with its limited resources through ensuring sustainable development in all sectors, including the shipping one.
Hasina said various projects were implemented during the last five years for the development of this sector, and mentioned that three new dredgers have been procured and two powerful salvage vessels added to the BIWTC fleet.
Referring to 8 lakh cubic metres of dredging and 4 lakh cubic metres of digging works that have already been completed on the river route, she said eight more dredgers will be engaged in the operation by the end of next month.
The Prime Minister regretted that the BNP-Jamaat alliance government pushed the Shipping sector to the edge of destruction like other sectors during their tenure through massive corruption and looting.
Her government, she said, has so far inducted nine new ferries and seven pontoons while six more ferries will be added this year and two more will be commissioned by 2015 to the BIWTC fleet.
Besides, e-ticketing system will soon be introduced at Paturia, Daulatdia and Kajirhat ferry ghats, she told her audience.
Initiatives have also been taken to build nine more water vessels, including coastal and passenger ships and ferries, Hasina added.
About maintaining the navigability in the river route, the Prime Minister said a mega plan has been undertaken involving Tk 12,000 crore to restore the navigability of 53 rivers.
Held with Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan in the chair, the function was also addressed by Shipping Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam and BIWTC Chairman Mojibur Rahman. Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament and political leaders were present.
The Prime Minister also enjoyed a cultural programme organised on the deck of the new vessel.
During her journey from Sadarghat to Chandpur, the Prime Minister wanted to know from ministers and parliament members concerned about the execution of government decisions taken for saving the rivers, particularly the Buriganga, from pollution and illegal encroachment. – UNB
