The Ministry of Shipping of Bangladesh announced that all sand-carrying bulkhead and dinghy boats will remain suspended from March 16 to 25 to prevent accidents during the Eid-ul-Fitr travel rush. Nighttime speedboat operations have been banned, and wearing life jackets during daytime travel has been made mandatory. From March 17 to 24, only trucks carrying essential or perishable goods will be allowed on ferries to ensure smooth passenger movement. The decisions were taken at a meeting held on February 26 at the ministry.

Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said passenger pressure on waterways increases significantly during Eid, making safety and comfort a top government priority. Authorities have been instructed to keep roads from Dhaka’s Zero Point to Sadarghat free of congestion from the 15th of Ramadan until the third day after Eid. Law enforcement agencies, including traffic police, naval police, Ansar, and community police, will jointly maintain order and security.

Unfit vessels have been banned, and mobile courts will monitor compliance. Vigilance teams and monitoring units will oversee safety, while rescue and fire services will remain on standby at key river ports.