The government has decided to stop ferrying trucks, except those carrying perishable goods, across the rivers for seven days during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has said.
The trucks will not be able to use the ferry terminals for three days before and three days after Eid, the state minister said at a meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday.
While discussing whether the government would allow motorcyclists to use the Shimulia Ghat during Eid, the state minister said: “Ferry movement has been suspended at Shimulia Ghat. So we are trying. They have to talk to the bridge authorities. Because if we open Shimulia Ghat, they have to cross Padma Bridge twice. It needs their permission.”
“Not only Mawa highway, motorcycle movement will be banned on all highways gradually. The speed limit will also be restricted. Nowhere in the world is there a system where motorcycles are driven on the highways. We have to accept it too,” added the state minister.
The state minister said that the complaint about launches charging extra fares during Eid was not correct.
“Launch fares are fixed, and they charge exactly that during Eid. At other times of the year, they charge less.
