An 11-day Eid-Puja special launch service on Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route with increased fare rate starts today. There is no system of advance seat-booking for deck journey while the cabin tickets have already been sold out. Around 11 to 13 triple-deck launches will give single, double, even triple trips for the 10-day special service on the route in October 11-21.The highest rush is expected on October 13 and 14 from Dhaka and October 12 and 18 from Barisal.
Passengers of privet water transports have to pay 20 to 25 per cent increased ‘festival fare’ and the changed fare is Tk 1000-1100 for each first class cabin seat, Tk 600 each sofa and Tk 230-250 each deck seat.
Though 90 per cent cabin tickets have been sold out on the route the rest 10 per cent tickets have been reserved for VVIP passengers, said the Barisal district launch owners’ association vice-president, Saidur Rahman Rintu.
The launch owners have claimed that they take the extra charge in festival-trips to cover the losses of reduced competitive fare chart round the year.
Passengers have alleged that tickets are sold in the black market in the collaboration of the booking office staff and terminal leaders and they have to pay 40 to 50 per cent extra charges.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authorities in cooperation with launch owners’ association also arranged an 11-day launch services from October 11 on 17 major river routes including Chandpur, Letrabazar, Barisal, Torki, Patuakhali, Kalaia, Rangabali, Bhola, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan, Barguna, Amtali, Ichli, Madaripur, Hularhut connecting Dhaka River Port and Chandpur, Barisal, Taltatala, Ramchandrapur, Machhuakhali, Sureshwar connecting Narayanganj and Chandpur River Ports.
Committees have been formed on every major river port consisted with the representatives of local administration, BIWTA, BIWTC, shipping ministry, law enforcing agencies and launch owners association, said the Barisal port officer, Md Shahidullah.
Committees will work to ensure the smooth and safe journey of the passengers preventing snatching, mugging and other harassments in the rush and steps have been taken for preventing accidents.
-With New Age input
