The launch operators and passengers must pay penalties if they do not follow the health safety guidelines during the upcoming Eid--ul-Azha journey, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury warned on Wednesday.
"The launch owners as well as the passengers must pay fines if they violate Covid-19 health-safety directives during the Eid vacation journey," he told the media after visiting Dhaka River Port Terminal (launch) at Sadarghat in the capital.
He urged the launch operators and river police not to allow passengers to get on board of launches without masks.
The junior minister stated that the launch terminal environment is now neat and clean following the directives of the prime minister, and with the efforts of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and sincere cooperation from the passengers.
He mentioned the launch terminal will be developed further in the future.
Chairman of BIWTA Commodore Golam Sadeq and officials of the river port were present, among others.