Launch operations resumed on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route from Monday morning with huge passengers, after a long hiatus of around 49 days to curb Covid-19 spread.
Shimulia jetty sources said passenger pressure and congestion on ferries had declined as they started to cross the Padma river in launches along with ferries.
Although there were instructions for carrying passengers with half the capacities, launches were seen to be overcrowded with passengers on Monday morning. Hygiene rules were not seen to be followed.
However, Shahadat Hossain, Shimulia jetty assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) Maritime Safety and Traffic Management, said that they were trying to follow health guidelines.
Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Louhjong police station, said the pressure of passengers on ferries had eased as launch operations began.
The crossing of vehicles had become easier as well, he added.
BIWTA stopped launch services on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route from April 5 due to the second phase of coronavirus infection in the country. Only ferries had been operating on this route since then on an emergency basis.
Holidaymakers travelled to and from the capital with extreme suffering during the Eid vacation due to a lack of alternative vessels as the government discouraged leaving Dhaka to reduce the risk of Covid transmission.
