MV Bangali, the newly introduced triple-deck passenger steamer on Dhaka-Barisal route via Chandpur under the management of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), has been incurring losses after fails to attract passengers.
On other hand, the vessel cancelled Chandpur stoppage and twelve officials of vessel construction project have been noticed by BIWTC authourity to show cause for alleged sub-standard construction failing to attract passengers .
Under a 51.23 crore project of BIWTC for constructing two vessels to mitigate the sufferings of the people of riverene southern region, Western Marine Shipyard Limited has built MV Bangali, one of two vessels, commissioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on a trip to Dhaka-Mohonpur of Chandpur-Dhaka March 29.
The 75.5-metre long and 12.5-metre wide MV Bangali constructed in 16 months as per classical British design costs Tk 26.8 crore. Another steamer MV Madhumoti is under construction at the cost of Tk 24.43 crore by the same shipyard and it would be introduced on Dhaka-Barisal river route in June.
MV Bangali now leaving river ports of Dhaka Sadar Ghat on every Thursday, Saturday and Monday and Barisal Steamar Ghat on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
MV Bangali has 100 tonnes of goods and 750-passengers carrying capacity including 550 deck, 116 cabin and 84 chair passengers with a maximum speed of 11.5 nautical miles or 21.298 km using average 220 liter fuel per hour.
The rate of one way fare for traveling on MV Bangali on Barisal-Dhaka route fixed Tk 1,050 plus 10 percent VAT for per seat of air-conditioned cabin and Tk 3,500 plus 10 percent VAT for four seated family cabin.
This rate was 20-25 percent higher than the private sector vessels running with same facilities and better on board services.
