Private firm hired to rescue ferry

A team of divers of Genuine Enterprise, a private company, has started preliminary search work to rescue Amanat Shah, the ferry that half-sank in Manikganj's Paturia ghat, yesterday noon.

Eight members of the diving team are working to find out how to rescue the ferry safely, said Abdur Rahman, head of the team.

BIWTA director (shipping and management) Md Shahjahan said, "The Chattogram-based private company, has been tasked with rescuing the ferry on the basis of a public-private partnership."

The entire operation may cost Tk 1.5-2 crore, said BIWTA joint-director (rescue) and chief of rescue team Fazlul Rahman.

The decision to hire the company was finalised on Sunday, said Ajay Debnath, manager of Genuine Enterprise.

On Wednesday, the ferry tipped over in the Padma river with 18 vehicles.

All of the vehicles have been rescued and handed over to their respective owners.