The government is going to implement a project targeting to increase passenger capacity of the Sadarghat launch terminal in the capital to ensure safe and sound river journey for people of the country’s coastal region. Starting in July this year, implementation of the project is scheduled to end within two years.
State minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury revealed the information while exchanging eid greetings with reporters at secretariat in the capital on Sunday. The minister also said in order to start implementation of the project, tender formalities have already been completed. The project would cost around Tk 633 crore. He said the government is considering to expand the terminal from Babubazar Bridge to Postagola Bridge, situated on two sides of the terminal, for particular coastal districts.
Mentionable, especially during different festivals including the two Eids, the existing terminal faces huge crowd-pressure exceeding its capacity as thousands of people throng the lone river port of the capital to go to their respective destinations. The minister said with an ever-increasing number of passengers, it is not possible to expand the existing pontoon due to acute lack of space beside the Sadarghat terminal.
“In the coming days railing will be added with the pontoons and special arrangement will be taken for disabled passengers, besides launch tickets will be introduce to bring discipline at the terminal counters,” he further said.
Thanking the ministry officials for ensuring hassle-free eid journey, Chowdhury said, “This year, there were less unwanted incidents as officials concerned worked sincerely.” The minister observed that pressure of passengers increased suddenly this year as both BKMEA and BGMEA announced holiday jointly. We have requested them to announce holiday separately in the coming days,” he went on saying.
