A Correspondent:
Bagerhat: A 24-hour ferry service on the Mongla River was officially launched on Saturday to facilitate uninterrupted transportation for commuters and cargo in the Mongla port area.
State Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam inaugurated two ferries to operate full time at the Mongla Port Bus Stand ferry ghat in the morning.
Speaking at the inauguration, the state minister said thousands of workers commute across the Mongla River every day to reach Mongla Port, the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and nearby industrial areas. The introduction of the full-time ferry service is expected to reduce travel hardship and prevent accidents during River crossings.
He said ferry services on the Mongla River began in 2003 but had operated only during high tide, while services remained suspended during low tide. From now on, two ferries will operate 24 hours a day. Fare charts will also be displayed at the ferry terminal to ensure transparency and accountability.
The full-time ferry service would also facilitate the transportation of goods from the Joymoni food warehouse and make travel and agricultural produce transportation easier for people using the routes to Morelganj, Sharankhola and Rampal, he added.
