Reza Mahmud :
The Ministry of Shipping has introduced luxurious ship named “MV Bangalee” for tourists from Teknaf to St. Martin’s with a view to flourishing the country’s tourism sector with safer transportations.
“The Shipping Ministry has taken initiative to operate “MV Bangalee” to attract and encourage both the home and the foreign tourists so that they can move smoothly. The new ship is 10 times bigger than the other ships running on the route. The ship is also very strong and safe for all,” Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Ashok Madhab Roy said.
The sources said, there are about seven ships viz. Keary Sindbad, Keary Cruise and Dine, Green Line, LCT Kajol, LCT Kutubdia and others for carrying tourists through the 34 kilometer sea route from Teknaf to St. Martin’s. But most of them collect extra money from the tourists during the winter and the spring.
There is not sufficient number of ships for the tourists. In this circumstances, some ships carry excess passengers to the risks of accidents. To reduce the risks and make the journeys of the tourists’ safe, the shipping ministry introduced MV Bangalee. “When the tourists increased in numbers, the private ships carry tourists twice of the capacity which pushes them towards risks. in these circumstances, we brought MV Bangalee to make the tourists’ journey safe and comfortable,” said Tofayel Ahmed, the Managing Director of the ship.
Tofayel Ahmed, who is one of the entrepreneurs of tourism sector, informed the ship is cheaper in cost.
“When the other ships collect Tk 500 to Tk 1500 per head, then we have fixed Tk 300 to Tk 700 for the passengers of MV Bangalee,” he said.
Shafiul Alam, the UNO of Teknaf upazila said that there are huge allegations against some dishonest ship managements for carrying extra passengers and run the overloaded ships with high risks.
They also collect extra money from the tourists, which discouraged tourists to go to the St. Martin’s. Now the MV Bangalee will encourage people to visit Saint Martin with pleasures.
