Vessels will carry passengers half of their capacities and maintain health guidelines to curb the transmission of Covid-19. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury disclosed this on Wednesday after a meeting at the Ministry of Shipping. The fares of river transports will be increased from Thursday and the new rates of fares will be fixed after a meeting with river transport owners today, he said. The state minister said passengers have to get on the launch in compliance with the health rules and legal action will be taken if the health rules are not followed. Also read: Launch, steamer services to resume Sunday on 34 river routes He also added that number of vessels will also be increased alongside fare hike. The state minister warned that punitive action will be taken against launches owners if they charge more than the amount which would be fixed by the ministry or carry additional passengers. The carrying of all types of covered vans and trucks in ferries except those carrying essential goods will remain stopped for three days before Eid and the restriction will continue till three days after Eid, said the state minister. Also read: Govt increases bus fares by 60 pc Roads from Sadarghat to Bahadur Shah Park should be kept free from traffic jams and Sadarghat terminals and launches should be kept hawker-free, said the state minister.  Passengers traveling on the waterways can contact BIWTA hotline number: 18113 for any emergency and service related matters.  

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.

The authorities have decided to allow goods-laden vessels use the Shimulia-Kathalbari ferry route on trial basis.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said that if deaths in Buriganga launch capsize is proven as murder, then the case filed over negligence will be considered as a murder one.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday handed over relief goods to Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam on behalf of Shippers Council of Bangladesh (SCB).   Khalid handed over 1,000 packets containing various items on the Bidyaniketan School premises at Banani in the capital, said a press release from Shipping Ministry.   Each packet contains 5kg rice, 1litre oil, 1kg lentil, salt and soap, it said.   SCB Chairman Rezaul Karim was present on the occasion, among others.   Earlier on April 12, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud handed over 2,000 packets of food to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.  

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said all passenger launches have been made ready as isolation centres to fight against the novel coronavirus.   Necessary measures will be taken after talks with the health ministry, he said at a views exchange meeting with launch owners at Dhaka’s Sadarghat.     Shipping Ministry Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Director General of Department of Shipping Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq, Launch Owner Samity Vice-President Shahidul Islam Bhaiya, among others, were present.   Khalid said these isolation centres will play an important role, especially in the coastal areas, where coronavirus treatment is not available.   Adequate security measures will be taken and the launches will be taken to a safe place after discussion at the cabinet, he said.   The state minister said, "We’re supporting the shipping workers until the coronavirus crisis is over."   Later, the state minister distributed 200 packets of food items among the workers at Sadarghat.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said treatment plants will be installed at the threshold of drainages to check water pollution of Buriganga River.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said those who grabbed rivers are now in hiding as the drives continue against illegal grabbers to save the rivers.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday directed for completing the work on demarcation pillars, walkways, embankment protection dams and jetties along the Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakkha and Balu rivers in time.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified 14 sources of corruption in the country’s land ports under the Shipping Ministry.