People line up at Hatirjheel as water taxis launched on Victory Day

Water taxis have been introduced to the public transport pool of capital Dhaka at Hatirjheel on Victory Day.

The rides were free of charge on the first day on Friday, but authorities asked the enthusiastic crowds to buy tickets after struggling to manage them.

The water taxis will travel through two routes from FDC intersection to Badda Link Road and to Rampura.

The fare from FDC to Rampura is Tk 25 and to Badda Link Road Tk 30.

Many, who came to celebrate the Victory Day, rode the vessels after buying tickets without complaint. They believe it is a matter of days before water taxis become popular for daily rides, not for entertainment only.

Inaugurating services at Merul Badda, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the Hatirjheel Project has changed the ambiance of the area.

He said the government was thinking about setting up a separate police station for Hatirjheel considering its significance.

"There is not much hooliganism in Dhaka City like before. The situation is almost under control due to efforts of the law-enforcing agencies," the minister said.

Housing and Public Works Secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker and Hatirjheel Project Director Md Jamal Akhtar Bhuiyan, among others, were present.

The services are expected to ease travel to Karwan Bazar, Moghbazar, Dilu Road, Eskaton, Bangla Motor and Tejgaon for people from Badda, Gulshan, Rampura, Khilgaon and other eastern parts of the city.

If successful, the services could be expanded to Gulshan Lake through Baridhara, Hatirjheel Project Director Bhuiyan had suggested earlier.

Md Nasir Uddin, a resident of Rampura, brought his family to enjoy a water taxi ride on the public holiday.

"It's a great effort. There is no rickshaw from Rampura to Karwan Bazar and the number of buses is not sufficient. I think there will be no problem to commute from now on," he said.

Azimpur Government Girls' School and College student Farzana Aktar, who lives beside Hatirjheel, said, "Now it will be easier for me to travel. I usually take bus rides. But that takes long due to traffic jams.

"The water taxi fare is a little higher than bus fare, but it is okay considering the time," she added.

Engines for the water taxis were bought from China. The total cost for each taxi came to Tk 8.5 million.

The taxis have been assembled at a workshop in Chittagong. Four have been completed so far. Project officials believe the other two will be complete by the end of the month.

A company named Messrs Wahid Miah has acquired a 20-year lease for the taxi service.

A water taxi can carry 45 passengers at a time. Each taxi also has a small canteen, which sells cake, biscuits and other light snacks.

The water taxi terminal will be located at Hatirjheel’s FDC area. Taxis setting out from the terminal will reach their destination within half an hour.