Gaibandha: Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, MP, on Friday said that ferry services would be introduced in Balashighat-Bahadurabadghat route within three months to transport goods with trucks between northern to eastern districts of the country.

"River ghats would be built for loading and unloading trucks in the ferry properly and ghat connecting roads on both sides would also be constructed and expanded for plying the trucks smoothly during the period side by side with dredging the river to ensure safe movement of ferries in this route", he said.

The shipping minister said this while addressing a public rally organized by Kanchipara union Awami League in Balashighat area under Fulchhari Upazila of the district this afternoon as the chief guest and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliament Affairs Ministry and local lawmaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah was present as the special guest.

He said the government took the decision to bring about a revolution in the northern districts including Gaibandha in communication sector, agriculture and economic fields and create employment opportunities.

The minister said, in last four and a half years, a total of five ferries were introduced which are running in different water routes of the country.

By July 03, 2013, two ferries would be introduced in the river for movement, he said adding that seven more ferries would be added next year.

No previous government built any steamer but the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina built two steamers which would be launched in the river next September, he added.

Meanwhile, three dredgers were purchased and eight others would be launched this year and it has a plan to purchase more five dredgers next year, he added.

With Kanchipara union AL president Nizam Uddin in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Dr. Shamsuzzoha Khandkar, president of district AL Advocate Syed Shamsul Alam Hiru, general secretary Abu Bakar Siddiqu, local UP chairman Abu Bakar Siddique Munna and AL leader Azharul Islam Bablu.

Later, he joined another public meeting organized by district truck owners association and district truck sramik unions at Gaibandha Poura Park in the afternoon.

Ends/AMA/28/06/13