The Ministry of Shipping has issued 16 directives to ensure safe waterway travel during the upcoming Durga Puja festival, including a ban on night-time speedboat operations, measures to prevent overcharging of launch passengers and restrictions on unfit vessels.

The directives, issued on Thursday, October 8, instructed the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation and Department of Shipping to take necessary measures.

Under the directives, passengers must board and disembark launches through designated terminal pontoons. Authorities must prevent unauthorised transfers between launches and boats near Sadarghat terminal and display approved fares at all river ports, terminals, landing stations and vessels.

Speedboats must not operate at night. During the day, they must stay away from the middle of rivers, and passengers must wear life jackets.

The ministry has also ordered authorities to stop the operation of unfit launches, boats and ferries. Sadarghat terminal and its pontoons must remain free of hawkers and vendors.

Rescue vessels must remain ready for emergencies, while major river ports must have adequate firefighting facilities.

Other measures include ensuring drinking water, sanitation, phone-charging facilities and services for women, children and passengers with special needs.

Ferry operators must follow vehicle boarding sequences and adhere to approved capacity limits. All passengers, except drivers, must get off their vehicles before boarding ferries.

Authorities have also been instructed to ensure navigability on ferry routes, follow weather warnings and display emergency hotline numbers on vessels.

Passengers can contact the national emergency service at 999, the fire service at 102, BIWTA passenger services at 16113 and the Coast Guard at 16111. For weather-related information, they can call 1090 or the weather office at 41025730 or 41025731.