Staff Correspondent

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain today urged all concerned to ensure a smooth journey for homebound travelers on naval routes ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"The government has been working tirelessly to ensure the smooth movement of water transport and the safety and security of passengers ahead of the upcoming Eid," he said.

The ministry has already taken various measures, including the deployment of Ansar, on long-distance naval routes to ensure a hassle-free journey and the safety of passengers.

Sakhawat, also the Labour and Employment Adviser, made the remarks while addressing a Zoom meeting at the Shipping Ministry in the city over measures taken to ensure the smooth movement of transport on different naval routes and the safety and security of passengers ahead of Eid.

The River Police, Coast Guard, and Bangladesh Navy have been instructed to patrol crime-prone points on the naval routes, Sakhawat said, adding that a control room has already been opened at BIWTC to provide full-time services to ferries and passenger ships. Passengers and water transport operators have been asked to dial 02223362779 and 01404443704 to seek assistance from the control room if needed.

The adviser instructed the authorities concerned to suspend the operation of bulkheads five days before and after Eid-ul-Fitr to curb naval accidents. He also directed the authorities to ensure that no passenger faces harassment at Sadarghat Terminal or any other terminal during travel.

He asked the Director General of the Department of Shipping to ensure the preservation of fitness certificates for all water transport and to display an approved fare chart at all ghats.

The adviser also instructed the relevant Deputy Commissioners to conduct mobile courts at different ferry and launch terminals to prevent overcrowding and overcharging passengers during Eid. Additionally, he directed law enforcement agencies to take necessary measures to keep the road from Zero Point to Sadarghat free from traffic congestion and hawkers.

The adviser further instructed the relevant Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, and Officers-in-Charge to take coordinated and effective measures to ensure a smooth Eid journey for passengers on waterways.

Senior Secretary to the Shipping Ministry Mohammad Yusuf, senior officials of the ministry, chiefs of different departments, and district and police administration officials were present at the meeting.