Holidaymakers spend night at launch terminal in wait of vessels

As Eid-ul-Fitr holiday starts, the Sadarghat launch terminal saw a huge number of holidaymakers rushing there to board vessels for their destination, resulting in many having to spend the night at the launch terminal. 

To ease the pressure, a record number of launches—176 in total--left the Sadarghat launch terminal from yesterday morning till late in the night, Alamgir Kabir, joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, many holidaymakers had to spend the night at the launch terminal in hopes of catching a water vessel home, said Alamgir.

“Around 50 launches have left the terminal since this morning and many are on the way to the terminal to carry the passengers to their destination,” Alamgir added.

“The situation is now returning to normal and we hope that everyone can make it to their destination on time,” said Bodiuzzaman Badal, senior vice-chairman of Bangladesh inland waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association.