State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said Bangladesh will take initiatives to restore navigability through necessary dredging to ensure uninterrupted movement of vessels on rivers. He made the statement on Sunday at a meeting at the fish landing centre ghat beside Mahipur police station in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali. The event was held to inspect vessel census activities and explain their benefits under a project to create a vessel database and strengthen vessel management capacity.

Addressing demands from Mahipur residents and local fishers, Ahsan said steps would be taken to install a lighthouse at the sea and river estuary to help fishers return safely to the ghat. He also assured locals that authorities would take necessary measures to ensure timely delivery of government incentives for fishers during their off-season and to stop illegal trawling vessels.

The first Vessel Census 2026 began nationwide on August 20 under the slogan, “Let us make the vessel census successful, build a prosperous Bangladesh.” Initial listing operations have already collected information on 244,808 vessels. Officials said the census would provide updated statistics to support registration, safety, waterway management and future planning.