Pabna, May 18 (UNB) – After a hiatus of about four years, ferry service on Paturia-Kazrihat route resumed on Friday for facilitating communication in the North Bengal.

Planning Minister AK Khandker formally inaugurated the service at Kazirhat Ghat.

Shipping Minister M Shajahan Khan, State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Shipping Secretary M Abdul Mannan Hawladar and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) chairman Dr M Shamsuddoha Khandaker also spoke on the occasion.

The distance between Paturia and Kazirhat is about 20 kilometres and a pair of ferry -– Kopoti and Kaberi –- will ply on the route 200 times per day.

Addressing the function, AK Khandker said the government would introduce row-row ferry on Paturia-Kazirhat in the future for the convenience of the commuters.

He also said the government would set up a marine academy in Pabna.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said the government is going to procure 17 dredgers and nine ferries to dredge river and ensure navigability of the rivers.

“The present government has so far procured three dredgers and five ferries,” he added.