Crowd of passengers at Sadarghat, the number of launches has also increased

Rakibul islam, correspondent : Homebound people have started leaving the capital Dhaka to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their families. In addition to roads and railways, there has also been an increase in traffic on waterways. After the opening of Padma bridge although there is no rush of passengers as before, the pressure of people facing their homes has increased in the capital Sadarghat during Eid.

On Sunday, the main river port of the country, Sadarghat was also full of homely people. On this day, the pressure of passengers at the launch gate increased but the homebound people returned home with relief. Meanwhile, the number of launches has also increased with the increase in passengers. Southern launches have left with passenger loads. Since last Thursday, on the occasion of Eid, the pressure of people facing the house in Sadarghat increased.

According to BIWTA sources, Saturday, 71 launches left Dhaka River Port on Dhaka-Barisal route, 3 on Dhaka-Hatia route, 3 on Dhaka-Bhola route, and 71 launches on various routes in southern region. Those concerned say that the number of passengers has slightly increased since last Thursday due to school and college holidays on the occasion of Eid. Although the launch was loaded with passengers on a holiday last Friday, the pressure on passengers increased on Saturday. As a result, the number of launches has been increased. The launch owners are expecting that the pressure of passengers on the launch will increase once the garment holiday is over.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Eid, advance ticket sales are almost at an end and advance cabin tickets are sold out till June 29 on some routes. However, the advance ticket sales rate on the Dhaka-Barisal route is slightly lower. Like last Eid, the owners are giving some discount on the rent to attract passengers. The launch owners said that depending on the route, the rent of the deck is from Tk 50 to Tk 100 and cabin rent is also kept low. 

Jamal Uddin, the ticket seller of MV Prince Awlad Launch, operating on the Dhaka-Barisal route, said that the fare is being kept somewhat low. Deck 300 taka, single cabin 1 thousand and double 2 thousand. The number of passengers has increased slightly. Garments will increase more if it is a holiday. However, the number of passengers on this route is slightly less than other routes. Our advance tickets are also on sale until June 27. Passenger pressure will be high on June 25 and 26

Meanwhile, the passengers are returning home with relief as the suffering is less than before. Domestic passengers said that the suffering has reduced as the crowd in the terminal area has reduced a lot and getting tickets has become easier. Sabur Sheikh, a passenger going to Barisal, said, "Earlier there was a lot of trouble going home. Tickets were not available. I got the ticket today. Going home with family. I can't go home on Eid-ul-Fitr. There is relief now at the Ghat. Black market is not visible.

Parveen Zaman, a Barguna-bound passenger from Jatrabari, said that earlier on Eid, she could not enter the terminal due to the crowd. It is not like that anymore. I am going home to spend the Eid holiday with my family with a lot of relief. The rent has not been increased. So the suffering is less than before. But the character of coolies has not changed. Asking for 100 to 200 taka holding the bag. Their behavior is very bad.

Secretary General of the Launch Owners Association Shahidul Haque Bhuiyan said that advance tickets have been sold a lot on some routes. We are charging slightly less than the government fixed rent. Passengers are expected to be more in the last two-three days before Eid. The number of launches has been increased today.

Kabir Hossain, Joint Director of Dhaka River Port of Maritime Safety and Traffic Management Department, said that passengers are gradually increasing compared to earlier. 71 launches on different routes left Dhaka river port today. Yesterday which was 65. If there is a garment holiday, then the passenger pressure will increase. We have made all kinds of preparations for passenger service. If the number of passengers increases, the launch will also be increased.