Operators on Friday abruptly suspended movement of four launches on Barishal-Dhaka route, saying that the shortage of passengers has prompted them to take the decision a day before the BNP’s rally in the capital. The BNP and associate bodies, however, claimed that the suspension order came to spoil their scheduled rally like the previous transport strikes in divisional cities. Md Kabir, inspector of inland security and traffic management of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Barishal, confirmed the matter of suspension on Friday evening. Read more: Barguna transport owners launch 2-day strike He said only a launch ‘Parabat-11’ will leave for Dhaka from Barishal on Friday. The suspension order of running four launches was taken considering the shortage of passengers. The movement of launches--Prince Awalad, Parabat-18, Surovi-7 and Sundarban-11--was suspended, he said. Only launches ‘Shuvoraj and Farhan-7’carrying passengers will leave Dhaka for Barishal and Jhalkati on Friday, he said. Besides, no launch will leave for Dhaka from Jhalkati on Friday. Md Sumon, a staff of the ‘Parabat-11’, said most people are not going to Dhaka fearing violence ahead of the BNP rally. UNB’s Barishal correspondent also found a thin presence of passengers in the launch compared to any other day. Read more: Launch operation resumes on Barishal-Dhaka route as BNP rally ends Maniruzzaman, convener of Barishal city unit BNP, alleged that the government has taken several tactics to foil their Dhaka rally and for that reason the decision to suspend operations of launches was taken. ‘’However, we have already arrived in Dhaka to join the rally’’, he said.  

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended the operations of vessels on all waterways across the country due to inclement weather caused by Cyclone ‘Sitrang’. The suspension took effect at 10 am on Monday (October 24, 2022) and will remain in force till further notice, BIWTA public relations officer Mobarak Hossain told UNB. Read:Cyclone Sitrang: Heavy rains continue to batter Bangladesh amid flood warning across coastal region Besides, the leaves of all BIWTA officials have been canceled, he added. The cyclone may cross the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by Tuesday (October 25, 2022) early morning and because of the impact of the cyclone heavy rains would continue to lash the country, according to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Metrological Department. Read Cyclone Sitrang: Maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal No 4

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has published a job circular for the recruitment of manpower. The organization will employ 35 employees in five categories. Interested candidates need to apply by filling out an online form. 1. Position Name: Assistant Port and Transport Officer / Assistant Director / TatsamNumber of posts: 5 Eligibility: Second-class post-graduate degree with first-class honors or first-class post-graduate degree in any subject from a recognized university. Age range: 21-30 years Salary Scale: TK. 22,000–53,060 (Grade-9) Read ‘Rider Fair’ begins Monday in city; 20,000 people to get jobs 2. Position Name: Assistant Coordinating Officer / Tatsam Number of posts: 1 Eligibility: Must have a second-class post-graduate degree or a four-year term bachelor's (honors) degree from a recognized university. Age range: 21-30 years Salary Scale: TK.18,000–37,640 (Grade-10) 3. Position Name: Senior Instructor, DEPTC Number of posts: 2 Eligibility: Higher Petition Officer (C-Man Branch) of Bangladesh Navy with Higher Education Test (HET) or SSC pass. Or First Class Inland Masters Certificate with HSC pass and five years experience. Or First Class Inland Mastership Certificate and must have at least five years of work experience as a Master in Charge or Senior Master Pilot on Ship. Must have a good command of English writing and speaking. However, the condition is that the job will be made permanent after the successful completion of a one-year apprenticeship course from DEPTC after recruitment. Age limit: 21-40 years Salary Scale: TK.16,000-36,640 (Grade-10) Read Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Recruitment Circular 2022: Job Circular for the Position of Officer Cadet 4. Position Name: Supervising Work Maintenance, Warehouse Assistant, and Assistant / Tatsam Number of posts: 5 Qualifications: Bachelor's degree Age limit: 21-30 years Salary Scale: TK.10,200-24,60 (Grade-14)  5. Position Name: Duty Collector / Tatsam Number of posts: 22 Eligibility: Must have typing skills with HSC pass. Age limit: 21-30 years Salary Scale: TK.9,300-22,490 (Grade-16) Age limit: BIWTA Candidates have to mention their age on June 1, 2022. The age of departmental candidates can be relaxed up to 40 years. In the case of children and disabled persons of Bir Muktijoddha / Shaheed Bir Muktijoddha, the age is 32 years. The age of the grandchildren of the heroic freedom fighter is 30 years. READ: Career Opportunity in JavaScript: How to be a JS programmer How to apply: BIWTA Interested candidates should apply by filling out the form through BIWTA website. Detailed information on application procedure, fee submission, and recruitment can be found on the same website and from this link. (https://www.jobsbiwta.gov.bd/) Application fee Within no more than 72 hours of filling up the online form, you have to deposit TK. 320 / - for posts 1 to 3 and Tk. Application deadline: 30 June 2022.

In light of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, the leaseholders of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and District Council (Zila Parishad) have been collecting additional tolls violating the terms of an agreement from more than 400 ghat points of Launch Ghats and river ports, including Sadarghat river port, across the country. Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS) secretary general Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the allegation in a statement on Saturday. Read: Eid-ul-Fitr: Sale of advance train ticket begins The secretary general of the BJKS also alleged that besides creating anarchy in collecting additional tolls, leaseholders are also harassing the passengers. He demanded that immediate steps be taken to stop the collection of such extra tolls. In the statement, he said extra toll was being levied on passengers going up and down for crossing the river by boat at Sadarghat. If someone is crossing the river by boat carrying daily essentials, the leaseholders employed by BIWTA are illegally extorting them at the rate of 20/30/50/100 taka. However, there is an agreement to collect the fare per passenger crossing the boat.

Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will build a modern launch terminal in Chandpur with all facilities. Already a tender has been floated to build the terminal on 2.40 acres of land involving Tk 70 crore with the financial assistance of World Bank, Deputy Director of BIWTA, Chandpur, Kaisarul Islam, told UNB. All modern facilities including river port office, washrooms for passengers, pure drinking water, sitting arrangements, prayer place, and waiting rooms for women and breast feeding corner will be available at the new terminal, he said. Also read: BIWTA to construct another ghat in Zajira to ease Eid travel

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has published a huge recruitment circular for the recruitment of manpower. A total of 363 people will be hired in 24 categories in BIWTA. Interested candidates need to apply online. BIWTA Job Details: 1. Position Name: Electrical Engineer Number of posts: 2 Salary Scale: TK. 35,500-67,010 Read US-Bangla Airlines offers chance to youths to become pilot 2. Position Name: Assistant Naval Architect and Project Officer Number of posts: 5 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060 3. Position Name: Assistant Naval Engineer, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, General Foreman and Engineering Supervisor (Diesel) Number of posts: 6 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060 Read How to Get a Job in Google from Bangladesh? 4. Position Name: Assistant Engineer Number of posts: 6 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060 5. Position Name: River Surveyor Number of posts: 1 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060 Read Cover Letter for CV: Important Tips and Tricks 6. Position Name: Assistant Accelerator Engineer (Deca Chain) Number of posts: 4 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060 7. Position Name: Assistant Engineer (CSE) Number of posts: 2 Salary Scale: TK. 22,000-53,060. Read AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job? 8. Position Name: Junior River Surveyor Number of posts: 6 Salary Scale: TK. 11,000-26,590 9. Position Name: Deputy Assistant Engineer Number of posts: 10 Salary scale: TK. 16,000-38,640. Read Wrong Career Path: Signs and What to Do? 10. Position Name: Assistant Technical Officer, Supervisor, Estimator and Deputy Assistant Engineer Number of posts: 12 Salary scale: TK. 16,000-38,640. 11. Position Name: Supervisor (Electrical), Senior Technical Assistant, Deputy Assistant Engineer (Accelerator) Number of posts: 7 Salary scale: TK. 16,000-38,640. Read Future Resume: How to Project Yourself 5 or 10 Years from Now 12. Position Name: Technical Assistant Number of posts: 20 Salary Scale: TK.10,200-24,680 13. Position Name: Technical Assistant (Marine / Diesel / Mechanical) Number of posts: 20 Salary Scale: TK.10,200-24,680. Read How to Become a Programmer: An Ultimate Guide 14. Position Name: Technical Assistant (Quick) Number of posts: 15 Salary Scale: TK.10,200-24,680 15. Position Name: Supervisor-cum Maintainer, Warehouse Assistant and Assistant Number of posts: 3 Salary Scale: TK.10,200-24,680. Read How to Be a Data Analyst from CSE or Non-CSE Backgrounds? 16. Position Name: Computer Operator Number of posts: 10 Salary Scale: TK. 11,000-26,590 17. Position Name: Driver-3 Number of posts: 10 Salary Scale: TK. 9,300-22,490. Read Railway Job Circular: Application for the post of Railway Booking Assistant has started, post 153 18. Position Name: Welder Number of posts: 5 Salary Scale: TK. 9,300-22,490 19. Position Name: Motor Mechanic / Diesel Mechanic / Mechanic Number of posts: 15 Salary Scale: TK. 9,300-22,490 Read PWD Job Circular: Large Recruitment for the Department of Public Works, Vacancy 449 20. Position Name: Electric Mechanic Number of posts: 10 Salary Scale: TK. 9,300-22,490 21. Position Name: Greiser Number of posts: 61 Salary Scale: Rs. 9,000-21,600 Read Primary Teacher Recruitment: 23 instructions for candidates for the post of primary assistant teacher 22. Position Name: Lashkar Number of posts: 63 Salary Scale: Rs.8,500-20,570 23. Position Name: Bhandari Number of posts: 30 Salary Scale: TK.8, 500-20,570 Read Delivering Successful Business Presentation: What are the Ways and Secrets? 24. Position Name: Topash Number of posts: 3 Salary Scale: TK. 8,250-20,010 How to apply on BIWTA Job Interested candidates need to apply online only through this website www.jobsbiwta.gov.bd. Terms and other conditions for filling up the application form can be found on this website www.jobsbiwta.gov.bd. Read Bangladesh Railway Job: Bangladesh Railway will hire 153 people Age of Limitation of BIWTA Jobs Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age on April 1 this year. However, in case of children of Bir Muktijoddha / Shaheed Bir Muktijoddha, age is 32 years. Application fee for BIWTA job TK. 320 for position 1-11 and TK. 215 for position 12-24 must be deposited through mobile banking rocket. Read BBC Media Action Job Circular: bbcmediaaction.org Last date of application April 30, 2022

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority  (BIWTA) filed two separate cases against eight staffers of the cargo vessel that hit a launch in the Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj leaving at least eight people dead. BIWTA Deputy Director (Naval Safety) Babu Lal Vaidya filed the two cases at Bandar police station in Narayanganj and naval court on Monday, said Masud Kamal, Joint Director of BIWTA Narayanganj river port. Detained master-driver, greaser engineer, and six other staffers of the cargo vessel were shown arrested in the case filed with police, said Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-Charge of Narayanganj sadar naval police station. They have been produced before court seeking a seven day remand for interrogation, said the OC. Meanwhile, BIWTA has announced an indefinite suspension of launch movement on Narayanganj-Chandpur and Munshiganj from Monday. READ: Shitalakkhya launch capsize: Death toll rises to 8 “Lack of skill among launch drivers, carelessness, small sizes of vessels are some of the many reasons for suspension of launch movements on this route, “ said Masud Kamal, Joint Director of BIWTA Narayanganj river port. Death toll from the accident rose to eight on Monday after recovering two more bodies from the river. The body of a 40-year-old man was retrieved from the river in the morning, said deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarter Mohamamd Shahjahan Shikdar. Besides, the body of a 45-year-old woman identified as Umme Khairun Fatema, headmistress of Harial Government Primary School in Sonargaon, was recovered from the river in the morning. Four passengers of the launch are still missing, he said. The missing are Abdullah Al Jaber Adnan,35, from Dhaka’s Demra area, Moslem Uddin hatem,55, from Munshiganj, Arohi and Jobayer Hossain. Earlier, rescue vessel ‘Pratyay’ of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) retrieved sunken launch ‘MV Afsar Uddin’ from the Sitalakkhya River around 5:30am. However, no body was found inside the launch, said the fire service officials. On Sunday, Munshiganj-bound launch ML Asraf Uddin, carrying around 50-60 passengers, capsized in the river as cargo vessel MV Rupshi-9 hit it around 2:30 pm, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters.Some 15-20 passengers managed to swim ashore. At least six bodies, including two children, were recovered on the day. The deceased were identified as Joynal Bhuiyan, aged about 50,  Arifa Begum, 35, her 15-months old son Shafayet Hossain, Fatema, 7, Smrity Rani Barman, 19, Salma, 33. The naval police seized MV Ruposhi-9, a cargo ship owned by City Group. The cargo anchored at ‘Hossain The Dockyard’ in Munshiganj shortly after the accident and detained nine staffs in it.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Sunday suspended the operations of MV Surovi-9 over allegations of a technical glitch after a fire broke out on it Saturday night while carrying 300 passengers. Meanwhile, Barishal River Port officer Mostafizur Rahman lodged a complaint against the launch manager Mizan and other staff of the launch over the incident and for attacking the journalists. Mostafizur Rahman, the operation of the launch on Dhaka-Barishal-Dhaka route, will remain suspended until further notice. “The decision was taken followed by the chaotic situation created over the technical glitch and attack on journalists,” he said. Also read: Fire breaks out in Barishal-bound launch; Doused quickly Earlier two camerapersons lodged separate complaints against the manager over the incident of attack. According to camerapersons of Independent Television and two other private channels they were attacked around 11pm while recording video footage of the launch as it was brought to Barishal.  No damages or casualties were reported in the fire that originated in the engine room of MV Survi-9 launch as it was extinguished before it could spread. Kaiser Alam, BIWTA's Chandpur port officer said, passengers were sent to Barishal by another launch considering the security issue and MV Survi-9 has been docked at Mohanpur ghat. Also read: Jhalakathi launch fire: Probe body submits report On December 24, a deadly fire broke out in Barguna-bound launch MV Abhijan-10 carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka and it engulfed the entire vessel within 10 minutes. The death toll from the fire accident reached 49 till January 3. Besides, over 70 people suffered injuries, and many of them are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

At least 39 people were charred to death and 72 others injured in a massive fire that ripped through a launch carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka to Barguna in the early hours of Friday. The blaze, in fact, began on Avijan-10 in the midstream of the Sugandha River off the coast of Jhalokati district's Sadar upazila, 250kms south of Dhaka, around 3am. Within five to 10 minutes, the flames engulfed the vessel. "We were alerted around 3.30am," Fazlul Haque of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Barishal, told UNB. However, the first firefighting vessels took some time to reach the ill-fated launch due to dense fog in the area. Also read: 3 dead, 44 injured in India refinery fire “Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered and 72 people rescued from the ill-fated launch," Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Jhalokathi Moinul Haque told UNB. Of the 37 bodies, four were identified and the remaining 33 bodies were sent to Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital Morgue, said the ASP. Of the 72 injured, 66 have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal with serious burns. The others are being treated at Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital. "Of the 66, with up to 50% burns, 18 are women," said Dr Moniruzzaman, assistant director at the SBMCH. "Three women and four men with life-threatening burns have been referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as we've no dedicated burn unit." UNB Barishal Correspondent reports that two of the injured succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

The High Court on Sunday directed the government authorities to submit a proper list of the country's rivers and division-wise list of illegal occupiers. The court asked the finance secretary, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Water Development Board (WDB) and all the district commissioners to submit the lists within six months. The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Mia and Md Kamrul Hossain Molla passed the order during a hearing on a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA). Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan represented BElA at the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Nowroz Md Rasel Chowdhury appeared for the state. Read: 20-year masterplan to revive Dhaka's rivers in the works Syeda Rizwana said there is an inconsistency regarding the number of rivers in Bangladesh. “Even after the court passed many directions the river areas are determined wrongly which actually facilitates the illegal grabbing. At some places the action to evict occupiers is going on but not in all," she said. According to the petition, WDB data says there are 405 rivers in Bangladesh while National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) mentions 707 and a private research says 1,182. As the number of rivers remained undetermined, so did the number of illegal occupiers, it said. NRCC data shows there are 57, 390 listed illegal occupiers while reports in national dailies exceed it. Read: 60 illegal establishments evicted from Kirtankhola river banks Recently the state minister for the shipping ministry told the Parliament there are 65, 127 river occupiers in the country. BELA filed the writ in view of the discrepancy, Rizwana said.