The shipping ministry has increased diesel-powered launch fares by up to Tk 0.18 per kilometre after the recent hike in fuel oil prices.

The fare rise came into effect on Tuesday following a circular from the ministry that also issued a gazette in this regard on Wednesday.

The government on April 18 increased the prices of fuel oils by 15–16 per cent that came into effect on April 19.

The Tuesday circular read that in accordance with Rule 27 of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Nautical Routes, Permits, Timetables and Fare Fixation) Rules, 2019, the government had re-fixed the maximum and minimum fares per person for passenger transport by vessels.

For the first 100km, the passenger fare has been increased by Tk 0.18 from Tk 2.77 to Tk 2.95 per kilometre and for distances over 100km, the passenger fare has been increased by Tk 0.14 from Tk 2.38 to Tk 2.52 per kilometre.

The minimum passenger fare has been increased by Tk 3 from Tk 29 to Tk 32.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier’s) Association sent a proposal to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority to increase passenger fares from Tk 1 to Tk 3.77 per kilometre for the first 100km, for distances over 100km, proposal was given to increase the fare by Tk 1 to Tk 3.38 per kilometre and for minimum fare by Tk 6 from Tk 29 to Tk 35.

Both the circular and the gazette notification read that the new fare came into effect on Tuesday.

The road transport and bridges ministry on April 23 hiked diesel-powered bus fares by Tk 0.11 a kilometre.