B Mirror Report: The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and launch operators have agreed on a revised fare structure, setting Tk 3.00 per kilometre for journeys up to 100 kilometres, with the proposal now awaiting government approval.

The decision was reached at a meeting between BIWTA officials and representatives of launch owners held in the capital on Tuesday.

“We held discussions with senior BIWTA officials on the new launch fare structure,” said Md Badiuzzaman Badal, acting president of the Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carriers Association, after the meeting.

Under the agreed structure, the fare for trips up to 100 kilometres has been fixed at Tk 3.00 per kilometre, lower than the Tk 3.77 initially proposed by operators, which would have reflected a 36 percent increase.

For journeys exceeding 100 kilometres, the fare has been set at Tk 2.57 per kilometre, compared to the operators’ proposed Tk 3.38, implying a possible hike of up to 42 percent.

The meeting also decided to raise the minimum launch fare to Tk 35 from the current Tk 29.

BIWTA, the authority responsible for setting inland water transport fares, will now send the revised fare chart to the relevant ministry for final approval.

“We will wait about 48 hours to review the final draft fare chart prepared at the meeting,” Badal added.

Earlier, on April 19, launch operators submitted a proposal seeking a fare increase, citing a sharp rise in operating costs following the latest fuel price hike.

They said the government’s April 18 decision to increase diesel prices to Tk 115 per litre from Tk 100, along with higher costs of materials such as steel plates, propellers, spare engine parts, fuel rods and gas, has pushed overall operating expenses up by around 50 percent.

Operators also noted that passenger numbers have declined in recent years due to the expansion of road transport networks, adding pressure on the sector.

“Considering the current situation, we have no alternative but to increase fares; otherwise, it will be difficult to sustain operations,” Badal said, expressing hope that the government would approve the revised rates.

The government recently raised fuel prices to record levels, with diesel up by Tk 15 per litre, octane by Tk 20, petrol by Tk 19 and kerosene by Tk 18. Under the new rates, effective from April 19, diesel is selling at Tk 115 per litre, octane at Tk 140, petrol at Tk 135 and kerosene at Tk 130.