DHAKA: Two water buses began ferrying passengers on the Gabtali-Sadarghat route Saturday to bypass traffic tailbacks in the overcrowded capital city.

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan inaugurated the waterway passenger-transportation service as the ‘Turag’ and ‘Buriganga’ set sail from Gabtali Landing Station at about 10am.

During the inauguration, the minister informed that initially two water buses were pressed into service. Later, water buses will be introduced on all routes around the capital.

“Steps have been taken to renovate the low-height bridges on the rivers around the capital for easy movement of the water buses,” the Shipping Minister told the function.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given directives to the ministry concerned to begin the work quickly.  

The water buses will ply under the service on Sadarghat-Swarighat-Kholamura-Gabtoli route from 7am to 6pm everyday.  Fare for the ferrying has been fixed at Tk 30 per head, sources added.

Three-angel Marine Consultant constructed the water buses spending Tk 1 crore and 11.50 lakh using homespun technology.

A water bus will carry 35 passengers with a speed of 22.48 km or 12 nautical miles per hour.

BDST : 1340 HRS, AUG 28, 2010