The long-awaited ferry service on the Banshbaria (Sitakunda)-Guptachhara-Sandwip route was launched on Monday, ushering in a new era of improved connectivity and economic opportunities for Sandwip’s residents.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus outlined several significant initiatives aimed at enhancing the development of Sandwip, including plans to declare it a seaport, open the Kumira-Guptachara ghat, and improve transport connectivity.

Addressing the function to mark the launch of the ferry service on the Chattogram-Sandwip route, Dr Yunus shared that comprehensive measures are being taken to facilitate progress in the region.

“We are working on declaring Sandwip a seaport, opening the Kumira-Guptachara ghat, launching a Dhaka-Kumira bus service, constructing roads in the ferry ghat area, and ensuring regular dredging of the waterway," he said, joining the event virtually from the State Guest House Jamuna, expressing his hope that these initiatives would alleviate the long-standing difficulties faced by Sandwip residents.

"Once these plans are fully implemented, the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Sandwip will be significantly reduced," Dr Yunus said.

He highlighted that the newly launched ferry service would provide a safer and more comfortable way for residents, including children, the elderly, and the sick, to cross the sea.

Dr Yunus called on Sandwip's residents to continue contributing to the country's economy, particularly through their remittance contributions from abroad.

The Chief Adviser acknowledged the vital role Sandwip's people play in strengthening the national economy. He also encouraged local communities to work together towards further development in their area.

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain inaugurated the service.

The first ferry officially departed from Banshbaria Ferry Ghat in Sitakunda Upazila, heading towards Guptachara in Sandwip.

Adviser to the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy, and Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar, along with government officials and media workers, were also present.

Chief Adviser Prof Dr. Muhammad Yunus also addressed the people of Sandwip via video conference.

Md Kamruzzaman, Deputy Director of BIWTA Chittagong, said that each ferry can transport 35 vehicles and 600 passengers at a time.

The ferry will operate four times a day, depending on the tides, with the journey from Chittagong to Sandwip taking just one hour and 10 minutes.

In addition to the ferry service, a BRTC bus service has been launched on the Dhaka-Sandwip route.

An AC bus service has also started operating on the Chattogram Airport-Sea Beach-Nimtala-Banshbaria Ferry Ghat-Sandwip Enam Nahar More route.

These services will provide the people of Sandwip with easier connections to the capital and other parts of the country.

The fares for ferry travel are as follows: General passengers will pay Tk 100, motorcycles will be charged Tk 200 , CNG auto rickshaws will pay Tk 500 , private cars will be charged Tk 900, buses will pay Tk 3,300, trucks will pay Tk 3,350 , and 10-wheelers will be charged Tk 7,100.

The launch of the ferry service fulfilled a long-cherished dream of Sandwip residents, significantly improving their quality of life and boosting economic activities.

The new route will allow the smooth movement of all types of vehicles, including buses, trucks, tank lorries, minibuses, and private cars.

Besides, the service is expected to enhance Sandwip’s tourism sector, attracting more visitors to the island.