The Cox’s Bazar District Administration fined the St. Martin’s-bound vessel Carey Sindabad Tk 50,000 for selling tickets to tourists without government-approved travel passes.
The irregularity was discovered on Monday during a pre-season inspection at Nuniarchar BIWTA jetty, before the first boats of the season began operating on the Cox’s Bazar–St. Martin’s route. Executive Magistrate Nilufa Yasmin Chowdhury said three tourists were sold tickets at Tk 1,800 each without valid travel passes. The vessel was fined and warned that future violations would face strict action.
Local residents can buy tickets by showing their national ID cards, but all other tourists must present a travel pass and QR code.
On the day, three vessels operated, carrying a total of 1,174 tourists to St. Martin’s. To protect the environment, single-use plastics and polythene were banned, and tourists were provided with eco-friendly bottles by the Department of Environment.
During the inspection, District Commissioner Abdul Mannan emphasized strict enforcement of government rules. Additional DIG of the Tourist Police, Apel Mahmud, stated that all guidelines are being strictly monitored to ensure tourist safety and prevent harassment.
