Launch owners have announced suspension of vessel operations across the country, protesting a recent hike in fuel prices.
“Although we have not made any formal announcement over the issue, we will not operate launches until our demand (fare hike) is met,” Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passengers' carriers) Association President Mahbub Uddin Ahmed said in a press conference on Saturday.
The fresh development adds more suffering to travellers and commuters, who are already facing immense difficulties due to the nationwide strike enforced by the transport owners on Friday.
Mahbub Uddin said, “We handed over a list of fare hike to the BIWTA on Friday, but there was no response from the authorities till this afternoon.”
He said the pandemic already caused huge losses to the launch owners while each trip costs Tk 1.5-2 lakh now.
“The vessel owners can’t afford to continue the operations. We will declare our next steps being informed about the government decision,” he added.
On November 3, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene to Tk 80 from Tk 65 at the retail level.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum in the international market.
