16 directives issued to ensure safe waterway travel during Durga Puja

The Ministry of Shipping has issued a set of 16 directives to ensure safe waterway travel for passengers during Sharadiya Durga Puja.

The directives include keeping rescue vessels ready to respond to accidents, suspending the operation of unfit vessels, preventing overcharging of fares and banning speedboat operations at night.

In a recent order, the ministry has instructed the relevant departments and agencies to implement the measures.

According to the directives, passengers must board and disembark from vessels using designated terminal pontoons.

The practice of transferring passengers between launches and boats or trawlers in the middle of rivers must be stopped at Sadarghat and other locations.

Launches and other vessels must display government-approved fare charts and prevent the collection of excess fares.

To reduce the risk of accidents, the operation of unfit launches, vessels and ferries must be suspended. Speedboats will not be allowed to operate at night.

During the day, speedboats must not travel through the middle of rivers, and passengers must be provided with life jackets.

Rescue vessels must remain ready to ensure prompt rescue operations in the event of a waterway accident or emergency. Firefighting arrangements must also be strengthened at important river ports. Vessels must be operated in accordance with weather warnings.

The directives also require authorities to prevent hawkers and canvassers from occupying Sadarghat River Terminal and its pontoon areas. Information about vessel routes and pontoons must be displayed at terminal entrances, and measures must be taken to prevent illegal parking.

Authorities have been instructed to maintain navigability on waterways and take necessary measures to regulate the entry and orderly queuing of vehicles at ferry terminals. Before boarding ferries, all passengers other than drivers must get off their buses or other vehicles.

Instructional signboards must be installed at ferry terminals to inform passengers of these requirements.

The ministry has also called for improved facilities at terminals to meet the needs of women, children and passengers with disabilities. These include better access to drinking water, sanitation, security, mobile phone charging facilities and rest areas.

Four hotline numbers must be displayed on launches to help passengers seek assistance in emergencies. The numbers are the National Emergency Service at 999, Fire Service at 102, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) passenger service at 16113 and the Coast Guard at 16111.

For weather information, passengers and operators can contact 1090 or 41025730 and 41025731.

The directives, signed by Chhanda Paul, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, has been sent to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), the Department of Shipping and other relevant agencies for implementation.