United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Thursday completed the recovery of an oil-laden truck that had fallen into the river at Paturia Ghat in Manikganj. Azgar Ali, Deputy Director of BIWTA and head of the recovery operation, said the accident occurred Wednesday night around 8:00 pm when the truck fell into the river while disembarking from the Shah Makhdum ferry at Paturia’s No. 5 ghat. Recover vessel Hamza pulled the truck from under 60 feet of water in the Padma River using ropes and brought it to the riverbank. Around 2:00 pm, the truck was lifted onto the pontoon at Paturia’s No. 2 ferry ghat. Fire service personnel with help from locals rescued the truck driver, Shariful Islam, and his helper and admitted them to hospital. The recovery vessel Hamza reached the site around midnight and attempted to retrieve the submerged truck. After persistent efforts, the truck was brought close to the bank by 5:30 am and lifted along with its oil load at 2:00 pm. The ten-wheeler truck was carrying 17,000 liters of oil from Jessore to Narayanganj.

Conservation dredging by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has significantly improved navigability of key waterways in Tahirpur upazila, reviving trade, easing transportation and creating fresh employment opportunities in the region. As dredging has restored water flow in the Patlai, Baulai and Rakti rivers, cargo vessels carrying coal and stones are once again operating smoothly, particularly along the Takerghat–Mokshedpur route. The development has brought long-awaited relief to traders, workers and local residents dependent on river-based trade. For years, the three rivers would almost dry up during the dry season, crippling operations at the Barachhara, Charagaon and Bagli customs stations. Read more: Shipping Ministry forms committee over alleged BIWTA bribery Importers of coal and stone suffered heavy losses as goods transport stalled and thousands of workers were left without regular employment. To address the crisis, BIWTA has been carrying out conservation dredging over the past two to three years using cutter suction dredgers. As a result, navigability has improved markedly in the current fiscal year, allowing vessels to transport larger volumes of goods without disruption. In Takerghat area, the Patlai River, which once dried up completely during the dry season—forcing people and livestock to cross on foot—now supports the movement of both small and large vessels. Md Khasrul Alam, president of the Barachhara Coal Importers Group and former chairman of Sreepur Uttar Union Parishad, said the dredging had doubled business activities over the last two years. “If capital dredging is undertaken in the future, trade will increase manifold,” he said. Read more: Dawn upon Rangamati: Govt steps in to protect rivers and people BIWTA officials said dredged soil is being distributed free of cost for public welfare projects with due approval. The soil has been used to fill low-lying areas of government schools, colleges, mosques, madrasas, graveyards and rural roads across several unions, contributing to local development.

On the directive of the shipping adviser, the Ministry of Shipping has formed a three-member committee to investigate allegations of bribery involving officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The committee has been tasked with examining video footage allegedly showing bribery in fuel oil contracting under BIWTA's Naval Conservation and Management Department. Within the next seven working days, the committee is tasked to identify those involved in the money transaction and submit a detailed investigation report with specific recommendations, the ministry said in a press release on Thursday. Shipping Ministry generates significant revenue in FY25, up almost 10% Besides, BIWTA also formed a separate internal investigation committee to look into the matter. Earlier on Wednesday, BIWTA’s Additional Director Md Abdur Rahim and Deputy Director Md Obaidul Karim Khan were temporarily suspended in connection with the incident.

Several illegal structures, including the riverside banglow of former State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid were demolished on Wednesday during an eviction drive along the Buriganga River in Keraniganj. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Dhaka district administration conducted the drive from 10 am to 5 pm from Hasnabad Postgola to Kautail in South Keraniganj to free the river from encroachment. 120 illegal structures demolished in Gazipur; 1.95 acres of forest land reclaimed

Riverbank erosion in the Padma has taken a serious turn with the rising water level since mid-July, putting all ferry terminals at Daulatdia under threat. According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the three active terminals — No. 3, 4, and 7 — in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila are now at serious risk of collapse. Although sandbags are being dumped as part of emergency repairs the measures are insufficient given the scale of the erosion, said locals. They said some adjoining villages  including Bahir Char Sattar Member Para, Mojid Matubber Para, and Shahadat Member Para as well as markets, mosques, schools, and madrasas are also in danger. BIWTA officials including the executive engineer of the Aricha office visited the site Saturday to assess the damage. They reported severe erosion in a two-kilometre stretch around the terminals particularly around No. 4 and 7 terminals where ferry pontoons are becoming increasingly unstable due to soil loss. Riverbanks residents alleged repeated delays in permanent river training. Dharla erosion steals homes and hopes in Lalmonirhat “Every monsoon brings the same problem, but no long-term solution,” said tea seller Shahin Sheikh. He also alleged irregularities in sandbag use. Local residents Altaf Molla, Shahadat Pramanik, and Moyan Sardar said they do not want relief and want only effective river management. They said they want to save their last refuge. “Many came with promises to prevent erosion but none kept their word,” said Altaf Molla. Mohammad Salah Uddin, Assistant General Manager of BIWTC’s Daulatdia office, said, “Erosion has made the ferry terminals vulnerable. We’ve requested BIWTA to take immediate measures. Although three terminals are still operational, if erosion worsens, it may disrupt the transportation of passengers and vehicles.” Panic grips Shariatpur residents as erosion resumes near Padma Bridge Nepal Chandra Debnath, Executive Engineer of the BIWTA Aricha office, said, “Terminals 4 and 7 are at highest risk, and we’ve informed the authorities. As part of emergency repairs, around 700 sandbags have been dumped recently. However, no bags have been placed in the central part of the terminal yet. We can complete the remaining work if we receive the required allocation.”

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended all launch services on six key internal routes in Bhola for Saturday due to inclement weather. Due to the impact of seasonal monsoon wind the coastal island district experienced overcast skies and intermittent heavy rainfall on Saturday morning. With the sea turning rough, the maritime ports have been advised to hoist Local Warning Signal No. 3. Hundred of commuters have been left stranded and are facing  hardships. Many desperate travelers are resorting to crossing the turbulent Meghna River in unauthorised and unsafe trawlers, particularly along the Ilisha–Lakshmipur route, raising serious concerns of potential accidents. Inclement weather halts water transport on Bhola-Lakshmipur route While ferry services on the Bhola–Ilisha route remain operational, the suspension of launches has caused massive overcrowding on ferries. During a visit to the Ilisha launch terminal in Bhola Sadar upazila, this correspondent observed a large number of passengers waiting to cross over to the Maju Chowdhury terminal in Lakshmipur. With both launch and sea truck operations halted people were forced to wait for hours. One ferry departed in the morning but passengers noted that it often takes 2 to 3 hours—or even longer—for the ferry to complete its journey. Some travellers die to urgent needs were seen paying exorbitant fares to cross the river using illegal trawlers, ignoring safety warnings. Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of public announcements regarding the suspension of launch services. Md. Moniruzzaman, the duty officer at the Bhola Meteorological Office, said 8.2 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in 24 hours from 6 a.m. on Saturday. Bhola River Port Traffic Officer Md. Jasim Uddin said  due to continued rough sea conditions the No. 3 warning signal remains in effect at all maritime ports. As a precaution, launch services have been suspended Ilisha – Lakshmipu, Daulatkhan – Alexander, Tajumuddin – Monpur, Monpura – Dhaka, Hatiya – Dhaka and Charfassion – Dhaka routes. These suspensions will remain in place until further notice.

Condemning the recent eviction drive of Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Ghorashal area of Palash upazila in Narsingdi, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has said that exploiting the poor can never be the rule of law in a democratic country. “During the drive, 300 shops were demolished, after failing to realise bribes from small traders and shopkeepers. The act of BIWTA not only destroyed their means of earning an honest livelihood but also pushed them towards starvation which is deeply heartbreaking,” he said. Dr Moyeen Khan came up with the remarks after visiting the affected area at Saddam Bazar in Palash upazila of Narsingdi district on Sunday. Condemning the incident, he said, "The people of the country will now think that we ousted an autocracy to establish democracy, to ensure people's rights. But even during the tenure of this government, the ghost of Awami League's autocratic past within BIWTA has oppressed innocent people in Ghorashal area. This is even more shameful than the acts of autocracy." Over the past 15 years, BIWTA has engaged in corruption by extracting sand worth thousands crores of taka from the country's wetlands and rivers. Those discovering 'Ziaism' have bad intentions: Amir Khosru “BIWTA wants to enforce the law on the poor in Palash and Ghorashal areas. What law is this? Exploiting the poor cannot be the rule of law of any democratic country,” said the BNP leader. Claiming that BIWTA's corruption has been exposed, Moyeen said “Bangladesh has achieved its second independence. Corruption and injustice will no longer prevail here.” Issuing a warning, the BNP leader said the allies of the fallen Awami autocracy are carrying out conspiring to discredit the interim government. He also alleged that the "ghosts" of a fallen regime, within the government, have inflicted oppression on the impoverished residents of Ghorashal in Palash. He said the corrupt officials of the BIWTA have misappropriated thousands of crores of money through sand-related corruption over the past 15 years. "Now, they come under the guise of law. What law is this? Is there any law in the world that permits exploiting the poor? These innocent people were unlawfully evicted simply because they couldn’t pay bribes.” Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy Dr. Moyeen Khan warned that such actions would deepen the crisis for the current government. He also urged the authorities concerned to provide compensation to the affected people soon.

At least 10 people including women and children were injured as a Dhaka-bound launch from Bhola, the Karnafuli-3, caught fire in the middle of the Meghna river in Majherchar area in Chandpur's Haimchar on Saturday (April 20, 2024). Md Shahadat Hossain, deputy director of Chandpur BIWTA, said the fire broke out around 11:30am due to a technical glitch. At the time, 10 people were injured in the launch fire incident as they panicked and jumped into the river, he added. The stranded passengers of Karnaphuli-3 were being taken to Dhaka through Karnaphuli-4 launch. Read more: Banani slum fire under control On information, our investigation team along with the fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, he added. However, the reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. The injured were treated locally. Meanwhile, senior police officers of Naval Police Chandpur region visited the spot soon after the incident, added the officer. Read more: TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj

Launch services beteween Barishal and other parts of Bangladesh resumed on Saturday (November 18, 2023) morning after 24 hours of suspension due to the cyclonic storm Midhili. Abdur Razzaque, river port official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said the operation of launches resumed at 7 am after the affect of cyclone Midhili ended. Barishal Engineering College students say BCL activists beat them up for not attending ‘political programme’ Earlier, BIWTA suspended operations of all types of river vessels from 10:00 am on Friday due to inclement weather caused by the cyclone. Meanwhile, the roads in different parts of Barishal city have been inundated due to the rainfall triggered by the cyclonic. JCD leader, another arrested in Barishal for ‘planning sabotage’ The residents of Battala, Srinath Chatarjee Lane and Bogura Road have been trapped in 2-feet of water since the cyclone hit the country’s coastal areas. Khokon Serniabat takes charge as Barishal mayor

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has organised a boat race on the Turag river, on the occasion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday. Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’, 5th worst in the world this morning The boat race will be held tomorrow (September 28), at the end point of the main road in Mohammadpur's Dhaka Udyan, on the Turag river, at 3:30 pm, said Senior Information Officer of Shipping Ministry, Jahangir Alam Khan. US visa restrictions won’t impact garment exports: BGMEA State Minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, will be present as the chief guest, while Haji Mohammad Salim will be present as a special guest along with others. BIWTA Chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa will preside over the event. Govt refixes commission rates on sales of petroleum fuels Twelve teams named after rivers -- Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Ichhamoti, Karnaphuli, Surma, Kirtankhola, Arial Kha, Dakatia, Bongshi and Balu -- will participate in different segments of the boat race.