The Shipping Ministry and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) decided to stop overloading of passenger launches and recheck fitness of water vessels to ensure safety of the passengers.
Addressing a press conference at Motijheel BIWTA office on Sunday, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said a nine-member review committee has been formed in this regard.
Joint Secretary of the ministry Nurur Rahman is the convener of the committee.
Shipping Secretary Syed Manjurul Islam, BIWTA Chairman Dr Shamsuddoha Khandaker, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman and Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger carrier) Association President Mahbub Uddin Ahmed were present on the occasion.
The minister said overloading of passengers would not be allowed. The capacity of the launches would be examined again, he added.
He said the launch terminals would be expanded and no passenger be allowed to travel on the rooftops of launches.
The minister said river police and coast guards would be deployed to stop launch dacoity.
All the launched would be resurveyed before the next Eid-ul-Azha, the minister added.
