The long-awaited ferry service between Chattogram and Sandwip will finally commence on March 24. Starting from the Banshbaria ghat in Sitakunda, the ferry will sail to the Guptachhara ghat in Sandwip.
Dr. Mohammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, confirmed this information during a visit to inspect the progress of infrastructure development for the ferry service on Saturday morning. He was accompanied by senior officials, including Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping.
Officials reported that the ferry service is set to begin on March 24, with a trial run to be conducted beforehand to finalize the ferry schedule based on tidal timings.
Additionally, Dr. Fawzul Kabir Khan instructed officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to ensure arrangements are made for passengers to board and disembark from ferries at low tide. He also emphasized that steamers and speedboats should be available to assist passengers during this time to prevent inconvenience at Guptachhara ghat.
The initial inauguration date of March 5 had to be postponed due to the incomplete jetty construction at both ends, including at Guptachhara ghat.