The government has taken comprehensive measures to ensure safe, orderly and hassle-free travel on waterways ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, warning of strict legal action against overcharging passengers and carrying excess passengers or cargo.
The directives came at a preparatory meeting held at the Ministry of Shipping on Wednesday, chaired by Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam.
Addressing the meeting, the minister said passenger pressure on river routes rises sharply during Eid, making safety and comfort a top priority.
To ease congestion, authorities have been instructed to keep the road from Dhaka’s Zero Point to Sadarghat free of traffic from the 15th of Ramadan until the third day after Eid. Law enforcement agencies — including traffic police, river police, Ansar and community police — will jointly maintain security and discipline in the Sadarghat area.
To prevent accidents, the movement of sand-laden bulkheads and small country boats will remain suspended round-the-clock from March 16 to March 25. Speedboat operations will be banned at night, and passengers travelling by speedboat during the day must wear life jackets.
From March 17 to March 24, ferry crossings for general trucks and covered vans will be suspended, except for vehicles carrying essential and perishable goods, to facilitate smooth passenger movement.
The minister said no operator will be allowed to charge fares beyond those approved by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). Carrying extra passengers or cargo, as well as allowing passengers on launch rooftops, will be strictly prohibited. Approved fare charts must be visibly displayed at all river ports, terminals, ghats and on vessels.
If allegations of overcharging or overloading are proven, route permits and licences of the vessels concerned will be cancelled and legal action will be taken against owners and drivers. Mobile courts will operate regularly at ferry ghats, launch terminals and speedboat stations.
Unfit vessels and ferries will not be allowed to operate on inland routes. Authorities have been instructed to maintain scheduled departures and take action against repeated violations. Surveillance will be strengthened to prevent passengers from boarding mid-river. Patrols will also be intensified, particularly at night, to prevent robbery, extortion and harassment.
To enhance passenger safety, at least four Ansar members will be deployed on each launch from the 15th of Ramadan until the third day after Eid. Vigilance teams comprising the district administration, police, river police and Coast Guard will operate at every ghat, while a central monitoring team from the ministry will oversee the overall situation.
Rescue vessels will remain on standby to respond to emergencies. The Fire Service and Civil Defence have been instructed to maintain maximum preparedness at major river ports, and floating fire stations may be set up if necessary. Authorities will properly mark navigable channels, including whirlpool-prone areas at the confluence of the Meghna and Dakatia rivers in Chandpur. Dredging, pontoon installation and ghat development will be expedited to keep routes operational.
Improved passenger services will also be ensured at river ports and terminals, including access to safe drinking water, sanitation, mobile charging facilities and breastfeeding corners, with special arrangements for women, children and persons with disabilities. Cleanliness drives and anti-smoking awareness campaigns will be strengthened at Sadarghat and other river ports.
To reduce excessive passenger pressure, the ministry has requested the authorities concerned to stagger holidays for workers in the garment and knitwear sectors in Dhaka and Gazipur. Adequate BRTC feeder bus services will be arranged to facilitate onward travel from launch and ferry terminals.
Passengers have been advised to call the national emergency service at 999 for urgent assistance and BIWTA’s hotline 16113 for water transport-related complaints.
State Minister Habibur Rashid and Mohammad Rajib Ahsan, along with senior officials from the ministry and its affiliated agencies, representatives of the district administration, Bangladesh Police, Coast Guard, river police and Fire Service, were present at the meeting.
