Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) starts its 11-day steamer services today on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja festivals.

The special service will start from Dhaka-end today and Barisal-end tomorrow and it will continue till October 20, said Nurul Alam Akand, deputy general manager of BIWTC.

Barisai and Narayanganj BIWTC stations have been asked to provide special tug boats and piloting services and be prepared to face any emergency situation, he said.

The Eid-ul-Azha festival of the Muslims would be celebrated from October 16-18 and the Durga Puja festival of Hindu community would take place on October 10-14.

BIWTC sources said, five BIWTC vessels named PS Ostrich, PS Lepcha, PS Mahsud, PS Turn and MV Sela have been readied to carry passengers to their respective destinations connecting Chandpur, Barisai, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Bagerhat districts under this special schedule.