Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has instructed the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to introduce river ambulance services for remote communities, particularly in coastal areas with limited healthcare access.
The directive was given during his visit to BIWTC’s headquarters on Sunday.
In a meeting with senior BIWTC officials, including Chairman Md Salim Ullah, the adviser also set a deadline for completing the 35-ship construction project by December.
He further called for the introduction of ferry or sea-truck services to connect several coastal islands, including Kutubdia, Charfashan, and Dashmina, while also urging BIWTC to explore new routes.
Sakhawat emphasized sustainability by instructing the corporation to appoint an operator for heritage cruise services using century-old paddle steamers.
He also called for the timely implementation of employee pensions and the organization of union elections.
Chairman Salim Ullah presented a report on the corporation’s achievements over the past year, outlining successful initiatives and plans for the upcoming months, with a focus on infrastructure upgrades and new services.
He reaffirmed BIWTC’s commitment to becoming a more efficient and prosperous organization, according to a press statement.
