Sadarghat Launch Terminal. File Photo

 
DHAKA, March 15, 2025 (BSS) - As part of the government decision to enhance 
security on naval routes to ensure safe and smooth travel of the homebound 
passengers by waterways ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, four Ansar men 
will be deployed on each of the launches from tomorrow. 

As per the decision of the Shipping Ministry meeting, four Ansar members will 
be deployed on each of launches from tomorrow (15th Ramadan or March 16) to 
two days after the Eid alongside regular and special patrols by the law 
enforcement agencies, including the Navy in waterways and launch terminals.

For this, the launch owners will have to bear the duty allowances fixed by 
the government. 

There will be regular patrols by the Navy, Police, RAB, Naval Police and 
Coast Guard to prevent robbery, extortion and harassment and intimidation of 
workers and passengers in Narayanganj, Gazaria-Munshiganj, Chandpur and 
Barishal-Bhola waterways and other waterways across the country as well.

In a meeting on March 6, the Ministry of Shipping decided to take numerous 
measures that include strengthening security in waterways as the shipping 
owners present in the meeting called for giving special importance on the 
security issue.

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Rtd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain in the meeting 
highlighted various steps taken to ensure the safety of homebound passengers 
by waterways during the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. 

He said necessary instructions have been given to the relevant authorities in 
this regard.

The Ministry of Shipping has already instructed to take strict action against 
charging more than the permitted fare and carrying more passengers on 
launches during this Eid-ul-Fitr. 

During the same period, Ansar and community police will be deployed along 
with traffic police to keep the Sadarghat launch terminal in Dhaka free of 
hawkers. 

The concerned departments will take steps to keep the road leading to 
Sadarghat Terminal free from traffic jams and hawkers for passenger safety. 

To make the Eid journey safe, comfortable and enjoyable, the government has 
planned some other measures that included formation of vigilance teams in 
each "Ghat" (terminal) area in coordination with the security forces and 
implementation of roster duty based on jetty gates and pontoons of each river 
port, terminal and "Ghat" point.

Some measures will also be taken to aware passengers alongside monitoring the 
overall situation from the watchtower at Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat). 

These include, stopping speed boat operations at night and ensuring that 
speed boat passengers wear life jackets during the day, stopping bulkhead 
(sand-carrying ships) from operating on inland waterways day and night for 
five days after Eid from 15th Ramadan, and stopping sand extraction from 
Balumahal.

Before Eid, and for the next three days, ferry crossings for general trucks 
and covered vans, except for trucks carrying essential and perishable goods, 
will be closed. 

A total of 46 ferries will be kept operational at seven ferry piers to deal 
with traffic congestion while passenger services will be ensured at all river 
ports.

BIWTA's control room and hotline will be opened while rescue ships will be 
kept ready to conduct rescue operations in case of any accident in the 
waterways.

Fire Service and Civil Defense will be kept ready at floating naval fire 
stations. Canvassing will be completely closed for boarding passengers on 
launches while boarding passengers from the middle of the river has been 
prohibited.

It will be mandatory for staff working on launches or ferries to have 
prescribed uniforms and ID cards. Passenger awareness and warning messages 
and naval notices will be disseminated and displayed at terminals.