A five-tier security system has been implemented at Mawa-Kewrakandi ferry terminal to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey for people travelling to their village homes to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with families and relatives.
As part of the system, additional police, RAB, community police and scouts will be on duty at the terminal apart from the regular police patrol.
The decision was taken at a special meeting of law enforcers held at Padma Bridge Rest House.
Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj Saiful Islam Badal presided over the meeting while acting police super Jakir Hossain Mazumder, Additional District Magistrate AKM Sawkat Mazumder, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation’s AGM Ashiquzzaman (Mawa terminal) and members of the bus, launch and speedboat association were present among others.
According to the decision, movement of all sorts of heavy vehicles was banned after a point which is 10 kilometres distant from the ferry terminal to keep the area free from traffic congestion. Trucks would only be allowed to cross the ferry if the bus traffic is not heavy at the terminal.
Special instructions have also been issued for speedboats which are taken by one-third of the total passengers. This year, the fare of speedboat is also going up.
The decision was taken at the meeting and the fare would be fixed at Tk200, said Khalequzzaman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Lauhaganj, while visiting the speedboat terminal yesterday.
Last year, a number of speedboat passengers were mugged.
Acting police super Jakir told the Dhaka Tribune that no speedboat would be allowed to operate after sunset to ensure passenger security and law enforcers would be on patrol in the river.
“If any speedboat owner is found to have violated the rule, he would face stern action. Besides, speedboat owners have been asked to ensure life jackets for passengers and the association representing them has been asked to buy 500 life jackets,” he added.
Despite the instruction, speedboats were yesterday seen running without arranging life jackets. Many passengers were found to be taking speedboats to cross river.
Mohiuddin Ahmed, an official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority at Mawa terminal, told the Dhaka Tribune different sorts of vehicles would use different terminals to cross the river.
“Small vehicles will take terminal 1 and 2 while heavy vehicles will use terminal 3,” he said.
“Law enforcers have been asked to take all necessary steps to avert traffic jam at the ferry terminal,” he added.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan also visited the ferry terminal yesterday to check security arrangements. He asked officials to take necessary action if any speedboat was found running without arranging life jackets for passengers.
The minister asked for not taking additional fare from passengers and also asked the mobile court to take stern action against anyone doing so.
Shajahan directed the terminal authorities to arrange all emergency ferry services to ensure a safe journey for holidaymakers.