BIWTC to operate tour services
Rashidul Hasan
State-run Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is going to operate tour services in a bid to find a new source of revenue and promote tourism as well. "We are working to launch the full-fledged tour services in the next winter," said ASM Ali Kabir, chairman of the BIWTC. The first-ever BIWTC tour services will include transportation, accommodation and food. "Initially, we will operate cruise ships on Dhaka-Sundarbans, Dhaka-Kuakata and Chittagong-Saint Martin's via Cox's Bazar routes," Kabir added. "We have already bought a ship from China at a cost of Tk 35 crore," Mohammad Ali, director (communications) of BIWTC, said. A BIWTC meeting yesterday held at the shipping ministry discussed launching of the tour services. "At first, we will launch the services for tourists on Chittagong-Saint Martin's route. Arrangements for sleeping and recreation will be available in the ship, Ali added. The corporation chairman said frequency of the trips will be determined later. The BIWTC now operates passenger services on Barisal and Khulna routes. Meanwhile, the meeting decided to buy two Ro Ro ferries at a cost of Tk 150 crore and set up three or four container terminals at Pangaon. The meeting also decided to purchase two container vessels at a cost of Tk 122 crore.
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