Barishal River Port sees passenger rush
As people began returning to the capital from the southern region of the country after their Eid holidays -- many of them on launches and steamers -- swelling number of passengers brought along sufferings for all.
Huge crowds were seen at Barishal River Port yesterday, with people coming from different districts of the southern region.
“The crowd is increasing every hour, and there is no space for anyone more to enter,” said a passenger heading back to Dhaka.
“At least 50,000 passengers will leave Barishal to go to Dhaka through this river port every day,” said Ajoml Huda Mithu, deputy director of River Safety and Transportation of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
“We have asked launch owners not to carry additional passengers during Eid journey. If anyone is found flouting the directive, we will take action against them,” he added.
During a visit, the total port area was seen crammed with Eid returnee passengers, and BIWTA executive magistrates were seen ensuring that no launch docks too long at the port.
Shishir, a private service holder who returned from Barishal by MV-Sundarban, told The Daily Star that he and his family members decided to make the return journey yesterday, although he had planned to join office on Monday.
“To avoid the mad rush and its associated sufferings, we returned to Dhaka early,” he said.
Momena Akther, from Jhalakati, said she came to the Barishal River Port to go to Dhaka, but could not collect any cabin and sofa tickets.
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