Thousands of launch passengers on Patuakhali-Dhaka route are suffering due to the strike called by launch owners association.
Over 2,000 passengers including a good numbers of children and women, who came to Patuakhali launch terminal to go to Dhaka yesterday, got frustrated as no launch started from there.
Three or four double-decker launches ply regularly on Patuakhali-Dhaka route and over 3,000 to 5,000 people move daily through Patuakhali launch terminal.
When contacted, BIWTA Assistant Director Shahidul Islam said, "Earlier BIWTA issued notice to the launch owners not to load passengers on the roof. But as they ignored, the authorities cancelled route permit and survey licence of a few launches including four on Patuakhali-Dhaka route."