The government yesterday effected a ten per cent increase in launch fare.

It is the second time in three months that the fares have gone up. The government effected a 15 per cent increase just one month before the Eid-ul-Fitr last year.

A meeting at the Ministry of Shipping, chaired by Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain, decided to go for the fare-hike on a demand by

water transport owners.

The owners had earlier demanded a 20 per cent increase, saying the fuel price hike made it impossible for them to stick to the previous rate.

At yesterday's meeting, the government asked the owners not to load the launches beyond their capacity and ensure adequate number of vessels during the Eid-ul-Azha vacation. The meeting also decided to ensure safety and security at the terminals, remove traffic jams on the roads leading to these to save the passengers from harassment.

The owners agreed to introduce more launch services for homebound passengers during the Eid vacation.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Director General of the Maritime Transport Directorate Commodore Golam Rabbani and leaders of the Launch Owners Association and police administration attended the meeting.

"We don't get enough passengers year-round, except Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha vacations," Mohammad Kolimullah, president of the owners association, told The Daily Star. "Fuel price hike made it even more difficult for us, prompting us to demand a 20 per cent fare increase."

The BIWTA chairman refused to make any comment.