State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday told Parliament that the country’s southern region-bound passengers on almost all waterways declined significantly due to the advent of Padma Bridge. “On an average 85-90 launches were plying from Dhaka River Port to the southern region every day (before the bridge opened). But now on average 60-65 launches are plying daily on those routes from Sadarghat in Dhaka,” he said. The state minister said this in reply to a scripted question from Awami League lawmaker Sayeda Rubina Akter. Also read: Padma Bridge brings more visitors to tourist destinations in Bagerhat The construction of the dream bridge has enabled the south-bound passengers to reach their respective destinations by road quickly. “However, the number of passengers has decreased significantly in almost all waterways, except a few, as the passenger movement on the waterways takes more time,” he said. Khalid Mahmud also said the movement of 87 launches and 155 speed boats on the Shimulia-Banglabazar and Shimulia-Mazhikandi routes had stopped since the inauguration of Padma Bridge. However, there is a possibility to increase the waterway passengers slightly within the next 6 months, he said. The feasibility study continues to create new river routes for passenger and cargo transportation at affordable prices, he added. The state minister said since the launch of the 'dream' Padma Bridge, even the number of passengers on 'the Rocket', a famed steamer of BIWTC on the Dhaka-Morrelganj-Dhaka Inland Water Route, has come down significantly, as potential passengers can now simply do the journey by road, saving both time and money. Similarly, a ferry service that used to run between Mawa and Majhirkandi has also been forced to stop due to drastically reduced demand, and movement of vessels on the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route has declined significantly. Also read: Shariatpur poultry farmers' dreams now stretch beyond Padma Bridge This is all having a negative effect on BIWTC revenues, he did add. Not that it was a cause for complaint.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has urged the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to remove the Sadarghat Launch Terminal from near the Lalkuthi-Ruplal House immediately to restore the heritage of Dhaka. He made the call while speaking at a discussion after visiting the exhibition of project activities under Dhaka City Neighbourhood Upgrading Project (DCNUP) at Lalkuthi premises on Monday. “Our Dhaka city got its shape on the bank of Buriganga River. Unfortunately, we do not see the river from this historic establishment (Lalkuthi-Ruplal House). Government and private organizations have occupied the small river. I urge the BIWTA to remove Sadarghat Launch Terminal from the Lalkuthi-Ruplal House part.”   READ: Inquiry ordered on Sadarghat launch fire Mentioning that this is the high time to bring back the lost glory of Dhaka, Taposh said, “I was inspired to participate in the mayoral polls to bring back the lost heritage of Dhaka. However, it is a matter of sorrow, after the winning, I found that Lalkuthi-Ruplal House is not under the city corporation. I agree with the demand of the panelists of today’s programme to include the historic establishment in the city corporation. We will recover and conserve it after the handover. We want to bring back the heritage of all the historical establishments of Dhaka.”      World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Mercy Miyang Tembon, historian Muntassir Mamoon, architect  Mubasshar Hussein, engineer Md. Nurul Huda, Regional Director of World Bank South Asia Sustainable Development  John Roome, Bangladesh Institute of Planners president Fazle Reza Sumon and DSCC chief executive officer Farid Ahammad, among others, spoke t the discussion. 

A fire that broke out in a launch at Sadarghat Launch Terminal in the capital on Sunday has been doused. The fire broke out at launch ‘Adventure-9’ at 10:52 am and spread soon, Md Shahjahan Shikdar, Deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence. On information, seven firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire around 2 pm. Read: Death toll rises to 12 in N'ganj launch tragedy

Islami Bank Bangladesh inaugurated its Shyambazar sub-branch – under Sadarghat Branch – on Wednesday.

Passenger vessel services resumed on the Dhaka-Barishal route on Tuesday after water transport workers called off their strike late last night.

The apparently ‘miraculous’ survivor from Sunday’s tragic accident on the Buriganga near Sadarghat was traced down Saturday in a different part of Mitford Hospital from the one he was alleged to have fled on Wednesday.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said investigation will be launched to identify whether there is any negligence on the part of the launch owners.

Six disinfectant tunnels have been set up at Sadarghat Launch Terminal, aiming to ensure safe journey of launch passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic .

Launch services were suspended at Sadarghat on Wednesday morning after an organisation of workers started enforcing an impromptu strike, causing immense suffering to the commuters.

Keraniganj, Oct 18 (UNB) – An employee of a launch was hacked to death allegedly by his co-worker at Sadarghat launch terminal here on Friday.