Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) started a 12-day special launch service on 37 river routes on Saturday to carry home-bound people on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr.
BIWTA Director Shafiqul Islam said 210 launches including rocket turn, Gazi, Nepcha, Bengali will carry over 6 to 7 million passengers till June 12 on 37 river routes including Dhaka, Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Muladi, Barguna, Pirojpur, Gournadi, Rayenda, Shariatpur, Gosairhat, Rangabali, Damudda, Madaripur, Torki and Hizla.
BIWTA has taken different measures to ensure safe journey of holidaymakers, he said.
River police will remain vigil at Dhaka, Chandpur and Barishal launch terminals to check overloading of launches, UNB reported quoting the official.
BIWTA has issued an instruction to stop movement of all goods carrying vessels and cargoes at night to ensure safety of passenger-carrying launches, Shafiqul Islam added.
Rezaul Karim Bhuiyan, Sadarghat river police officer-in-charge, said eight teams of Rapid Action Battalion and police have been working relentlessly to ensure passengers' safety.
