The government is ensuring all necessary preparations and management measures to make waterway travel safe, comfortable and hassle-free for homebound people during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Sunday.
"Waterways are an inseparable part of life and livelihoods in riverine Bangladesh. Yet water accidents remain a major challenge. To address this, the government, vessel owners, operators and passengers must all play a responsible role together," the minister made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of "Maritime Safety Week 2026," organised by the Department of Shipping at Dhaka Ladies Club on Eskaton Garden Road.
The week-long programme, running under the theme "Safe Voyage, Protection of Lives and Property," aims to strengthen waterway safety, prevent accidents and raise public awareness.
Minister Rabiul said the government has already begun ensuring vessel fitness certification, training for operators, and deploying modern technology for waterway navigation marking, while surveillance and law enforcement on waterways are being further intensified. "We want every voyage to be safe and every family to reach their destination without harm."
Emphasising the government's firm commitment to making the country's waterways fully safe and passenger-friendly, the minister stressed the importance of adhering to operational regulations, stopping the practice of carrying excess passengers, and ensuring all necessary safety equipment on board every vessel.
He added that technology-driven monitoring, registration drives, and public awareness initiatives would continue in the future.
State Minister for the Shipping Ministry and Bridge Division Md Razib Ahsan, speaking as special guest, said waterway accidents can be brought down to zero through awareness and accountability.
He issued strict directives to the relevant authorities and river police to stop the movement of unapproved and unfit vessels ahead of the Eid journey.
Shipping Secretary Zakaria revealed that a nationwide vessel census has identified a large number of unregistered boats and vessels, and a drive is underway to bring them swiftly under the registration framework.
Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Md Shafiul Bari said a modern, technology-driven maritime safety system is being built through the introduction of digital number plates, online services, mandatory life jacket use, and the LTMS (Licence and Traffic Management Software).
He expressed optimism that the measures would ensure discipline, transparency and accountability across the shipping sector.