BIWTA
Ferry-launch suspended from Friday morning
All water transports, including ferries, launches, speedboats and trawlers, will halt operation from 6 am Friday as the country begins another round of strict lockdown fearing a spread of the coronavirus infections following Eid celebration.
As per the July 13 cabinet decision, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) ordered water transports services to remain closed from 6 am on July 23 to 12 am on August 5, said a media release on Thursday.
Also read: Strict lockdown from Friday, again
Meanwhile, no passenger vehicles and transports will be permitted on ferry from Friday (July 23) morning, as per another notification from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) issued on July 9.
However, emergency vehicles and ambulances would be allowed to cross in compliance with strict health guidelines.
Also read: Bangladesh loses 187 more lives as Covid situation remains girm
Both the notifications said that action would be taken against those who disobey the orders.
Capital chokes as public transport services resume
Public transport services resumed in Bangladesh on Thursday, with the government easing the lockdown curbs for a week ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha.
A reality check by UNB in Dhaka revealed that several buses left their depots in the morning and were plying on several busy stretches of the national capital -- Mirpur Road, Uttara, Banani, New Market and Mohakhali areas to name a few.
Buses -- both intra-city and inter-district -- were, however, seen carrying passengers with 50 percent of their seating capacity. But such was the morning rush that several areas of the city witnessed traffic snarls, giving commuters a harrowing time on the roads.
Read:Public transports go off streets, malls shut as ’ strict lockdown’ begins in Bangladesh
Abu Raihan Mohammad Saleh, joint commissioner (traffic north) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Due to the strict lockdown, many people couldn't step out of their houses. As soon as the lockdown restrictions were eased, people took full advantage of the same."
"However, police and other law enforcement agencies are keeping a strict vigil on the roads to ensure strict adherence to all Covid-safety protocols," he added.
A number of inter-district buses entering and exiting the city also contributed to the traffic jams.
Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain said, “A huge pressure of vehicles has been seen since morning as all vehicles have started plying on the roads.”
Besides, train and launch services also resumed operations across the country, keeping 50 percent of the seats empty, apparently to facilitate the movement of people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
On July 12, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon said that the train tickets will be available online only to avoid any rush at the counters.
On June 22, authorities suspended the movement of all passenger vessels in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj to curb the spread of Covid in these districts.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced its decision to suspend the movement of launches, speed boats and trawlers on June 21, following the Cabinet Division’s circular on the imposition of lockdown in these seven districts.
However, the restrictions won't apply on the movement of cargo vessels and emergency services. And legal action will be taken against violators, according to the BIWTA notification.
Read: Bangladesh eases lockdown restrictions ahead of Eid
On July 13, the Bangladesh government decided to ease all lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
In a notification on Tuesday morning, the Cabinet Division said that the lockdown restrictions would be lifted from July 14 midnight to the morning of July 23.
However, strict restrictions will resume from July 23 and will continue till August 5, as per the order.
Sitalakkhya launch capsize: Death toll rises to 34
The death toll from the launch capsize in the Sitalakkhya River rose to 34 with the recovery of five more bodies on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Shahzaman, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said police recovered the bodies from different parts of the river.
Also Read: Launch Capsize in Sitalakkhya: Death toll jumps to 26
The deceased were identified as Kazi Yusuf, 40 of Munshiganj district, Tanvir Hossain Gridoy, 17, a 1st year student of Riazuddin College in the capital’s Mirpur area, Mohammad Shohagh 25, son of Sirajul Islam of Lalmatia in the capital, Rizvi Ahmed, 21 of Malpara Munshiganj and Akash Shaha, 11, son of Haradhan Shaha of Munshiganj district.
Munshiganj-bound launch ML Rabit Al Hasan was carrying around 50 passengers when it capsized after being hit by an oil-laden tanker around 6pm on Sunday in Narayanganj. Police said the oil tanker could not be seized.
Around 20 passengers managed to swim ashore after the collision. Five bodies were recovered that night.
Golam Maula Sadeque, chairman of Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said divers from local Fire Service and Coast Guard managed to salvage the sunken launch with the help of a salvage ship and recovered 21 more bodies from it at noon.
Also Read: Launch with 50 passengers capsizes in Shitalakkhya
Upazila Health Officer (UNO) Nahida Barik handed over the bodies to their families at 2pm.
A total of 29 bodies have been recovered till Monday, said UNO Nahida Barik.
Two separate probe bodies were formed by Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner and the BIWTA under the Shipping Ministry to look into the incident.
Police identified the deceased as Runa Aktar, 24, Soleman Bepari, 60, his wife Bebi Begum, 55, Sunita Saha, 40, her sons Bikash Saha, 22, Anik Saha, 12, Sakhina, 45, Bithi, 18, her daughter Arifa, 1, Pratima Shwarma, 50, Shamsuddin, 90, his wife Rehena Begum, 65, Md Jakir, 45, Hafizur Rahman, 24, his wife Tahmina, 20, their son Abdullah, 1, Narayan Das, 65, his wife Parboti Rani Das, 45, Saiful, 45, Ajmir, 15, Shah Alam Mridha, 55, Jakir Hossain, 45, Moharani, 37, Anowar Hossain, 45, Maksuda Begum, 30, her daughter Mansura, 7, Rizvi, 20 and Dola Begum, 34 and Sauda Aktar Lata, 18.
Cabinet body okays imports of rice & fertilisers
Imports of rice and fertilisers were among 10 proposals approved by the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday.
ACC seeks wealth statements of BIWTA engineer, 3 others
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has asked BIWTA additional chief engineer Mohammad Saidur Rahman and three others to submit their wealth statement to it.
Padma erosion threatens Daulatdia Ferry Terminal
Rapid decline in the water level, strong current and torrential rainfall in the last few days have put the Daulatdia Ferry Terminal area at high risk of erosion which could potentially force partial shutdown of the key terminal.
Speedboat capsize: 4 bodies retrieved in Patuakhali
Members of Coast Guard on Saturday recovered the bodies of four people, who went missing after a speedboat capsized in Agunmukha river in Rangabali upazila on Thursday amid inclement weather.
Strike by vessel workers likely to end today: Khalid
The stalemate caused by the ongoing strike by vessel workers in ports is expected to end today (Thursday) as negotiations are underway with the workers and owners, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
Rajshahi to get a river port to boost trade with India
A river port is going to be set up in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi district within a month, aiming to ease transportation of goods through waterways with India.
Shimulia-Kathalbari ferry service suspended
Ferry service on the key Shimulia-Kathalbari river route has been suspended as dredging work is going on to bring back the channel’s navigability.