The shipping minister has warned launch owners of taking legal actions, if they carry extra passengers during the Eid-ul-Azha festival.
"I urge you (launch owners) not to carry extra passengers during Eid. We will take legal actions, if any owner violates our directives," Shajahan Khan told the media on Sunday after visiting Dhaka River Terminal Port at Sadarghat in the capital.
He requested the owners not to operate water vessels in inclement weather, and disallow passengers to travel on the rooftop of launches and steamers.
He also said the launch owners cannot seek extra fair from the homebound passengers.
Before visiting the launch terminal the minister held a meeting with the high officials of Ministry of Shipping (MoS) regarding safety of the home-goers during the religious festival.
The officials of MoS, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Bangladesh Coast Guard, districts administrations, river police and other law-enforcement agencies concerned are working to ensure safety of the waterways passengers during the Eid festival.
The minister noted that there was no major river route accident during the last four years due to concerted efforts by the government and the launch owners as well as growing consciousness among passengers.
He further said the government will increase the number of water vessels, if needed, for accommodating the rising number of homebound passengers.
Shajahan Khan opined that Sadarghat terminal is now free from hawkers and dope party members due to many effective steps taken by the government.
BIWTA increased the number of pontoons at Sadarghat terminal and from Lalkuthi to Shyambazar to facilitate the passengers' boarding onto launches and steamers. It also built a parking yard near the river port terminal, he added.
The minister later inaugurated a newly-built mosque at Terminal Bhaban-2 and office of the Dhaka river-port controller.
BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mozzammel Haque, and Director General of Department of Shipping Commodore Syed Ariful Islam were present, among others.
