At least 10 people including women and children were injured as a Dhaka-bound launch from Bhola, the Karnafuli-3, caught fire in the middle of the Meghna river in Majherchar area in Chandpur's Haimchar on Saturday (April 20, 2024). Md Shahadat Hossain, deputy director of Chandpur BIWTA, said the fire broke out around 11:30am due to a technical glitch. At the time, 10 people were injured in the launch fire incident as they panicked and jumped into the river, he added. The stranded passengers of Karnaphuli-3 were being taken to Dhaka through Karnaphuli-4 launch. Read more: Banani slum fire under control On information, our investigation team along with the fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, he added. However, the reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. The injured were treated locally. Meanwhile, senior police officers of Naval Police Chandpur region visited the spot soon after the incident, added the officer. Read more: TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj

Launch services beteween Barishal and other parts of Bangladesh resumed on Saturday (November 18, 2023) morning after 24 hours of suspension due to the cyclonic storm Midhili. Abdur Razzaque, river port official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said the operation of launches resumed at 7 am after the affect of cyclone Midhili ended. Barishal Engineering College students say BCL activists beat them up for not attending ‘political programme’ Earlier, BIWTA suspended operations of all types of river vessels from 10:00 am on Friday due to inclement weather caused by the cyclone. Meanwhile, the roads in different parts of Barishal city have been inundated due to the rainfall triggered by the cyclonic. JCD leader, another arrested in Barishal for ‘planning sabotage’ The residents of Battala, Srinath Chatarjee Lane and Bogura Road have been trapped in 2-feet of water since the cyclone hit the country’s coastal areas. Khokon Serniabat takes charge as Barishal mayor

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has organised a boat race on the Turag river, on the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday. Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’, 5th worst in the world this morning The boat race will be held tomorrow (September 28), at the end point of the main road in Mohammadpur's Dhaka Udyan, on the Turag river, at 3:30 pm, said Senior Information Officer of Shipping Ministry, Jahangir Alam Khan. US visa restrictions won’t impact garment exports: BGMEA State Minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, will be present as the chief guest, while Haji Mohammad Salim will be present as a special guest along with others. BIWTA Chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa will preside over the event. Govt refixes commission rates on sales of petroleum fuels Twelve teams named after rivers -- Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Ichhamoti, Karnaphuli, Surma, Kirtankhola, Arial Kha, Dakatia, Bongshi and Balu -- will participate in different segments of the boat race.

Although there are 41 recognised river routes between Dhaka and the south coast, at present there are commercial launches operating from Sadarghat terminal of Dhaka river port on just 25 routes.    Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) sources said that launches are not plying the remaining river channels due to the shortage of passengers. However, launch owners say that 15 waterways have apparently been abandoned due to poor navigability. They said, this crisis has been created due to lack of sufficient dredging.    They claim that even on the 25 waterways that are operational, launches ply on just 19 of those. Launch movement on the remaining 6 routes is irregular.  Also Read: CSOs demand investigations into irregularities in dredger pilotage, repair Rights activists complain that there is no transparency and accountability in excavation and dredging works. Due to this, there are irregularities and corruption in this important work.  Launch owners also have the same complaint that waterways are not being dredged properly due to lack of transparency and accountability. Badiuzzaman Badal, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passenger carrier) Association, an organisation of launch owners, said, “We are a major stakeholder in the shipping sector. But we are not involved in river dredging. Our opinion is not taken on which route has more or less navigability crisis." Referring to the lack of minimum transparency and accountability in dredging, Badiuzzaman Badal said, “BIWTA is doing the job as per their wish leading to widespread irregularities and corruption. As a result, general people, including water transport owners, are not getting the benefits. As the launch cannot proceed in many waterways due to the navigability crisis, in order to reach many destinations, one has to travel much more than the prescribed distance, wasting extra time. On the one hand, the fuel cost of the owners increases, on the other hand, the passengers do not want to board the launch because of the extra time wasted.”  Also Read: NCPSRR wants transparency in river dredging, silt removal Badiuzzaman Badal said these in a press conference at the organisation's office at Sadarghat Terminal on April 8.  Aminur Rasul Babul, member secretary of Safe Waterway Implementation Movement, said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is sincere in the development of inland shipping communication. The government is also giving adequate allocation in this sector. But due to the irregularities and corruption of BIWTA's dredging department, the desired success in rescuing the defunct waterways has not come even after 14 years.  Mihir Biswas, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said that BIWTA's responsibility is to maintain the navigability of waterways through regular dredging under its revenue fund.   “The river dredging, including rescue of lost waterways and the expensive works of silt removal, are under its development fund. The organisation has been doing these two tasks for more than a century. For this, thousands of crores of public funds have been spent, but the expected success is not visible,” Mihir Biswas commented, also blaming irregularities, corruption and lack of accountability and transparency as responsible for this.  Read More: River Police taking measures to ensure safety on waterways during Eid

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