Launch services from Narayanganj to Munshiganj suspended indefinitely

The authorities of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have suspended launch services from Narayanganj to Munshiganj for an indefinite period of time following the accident that took place in the Shitalakkhya river in Narayanganj Sadar upazila yesterday.

Masud Kamal, joint director of BIWTA's Narayanganj river port, confirmed the development to our Narayanganj correspondent last night.

"All launch operations from Narayanganj to Munshiganj have been suspended for an indefinite period. There are many reasons including driver's inefficiency and carelessness," he said.

However, launch operations from Narayanganj to Ramchandrapur and Chandpur will remain out of the purview, he added.

Earlier in the day, cargo vessel MV Rupshi-9 hit the launch ML Afsar Uddin in the Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj Sadar upazila where six passengers were killed and 15 to 20 more passengers remained missing.