Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)

Brief:

To set up Authority for development, maintenance and control of inland water transport and of certain inland navigable waterways the then East Pakistan Government on 31st October 1958 promulgated an ordinance called the East Pakistan Inland water Transport Authority Ordinance 1958 (E.P. Ordinance, NO LXXV of 1958). On November 4, 1958 the Government by an order constituted a three member Authority of East Pakistan Inland Water Transport Authority (EPIWTA). The BIWTA came in to existence on promulgation of the above ordinance of 1958 as the successor of the former EPIWTA. An advisory committee was subsequently constituted to advise the authority in respect of all matters related to development, maintenance and operation of inland water transport and of inland waterways in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has about 24,000 km. of rivers, streams and canals that together cover about 7% of the country's surface. Most part of the country is linked by a complex network of waterways which reaches its extensive size in the monsoon period. Out of 24,000 km. of rivers, streams and canals only about 5,968 km. is navigable by mechanized vessels during monsoon period which shrinks to about 3,865km. during dry period. The IWT sector carries over 50% of all arterial freight traffic and one quarter of all passenger traffic.

BIWTA consists of one Chairman and two other Members who directly control 13 different departments. Each department is headed by a Director or its equivalent. The organogram of the Authority is given below.

Manpower:

There are 4,287 posts in the present set up of the organization approved by the Government. Of these, 555 are officers and 3,742 are staff and workers. Category wise approved manpower of the organization is as follows.

As per Section 15 of the Ordinance E. P. Ordinance No. LXXV of 1958; amendment Ordinance No. LV of 1977, the Authority performs statutory functions of development, maintenance and regulatory nature.

Establishment / service Centre:

● Inland River ports - 11 nos. (Dhaka, Naryanganj, Barisal, Chandpur, Khulna, Baghabari, Patuakhali, Narsingdi, Aricha, Notakhola, Dauladia)
● Secondary riverine station (Developed) - 303 nos.
● Landing points (without infrastructure) - 374 nos.
● Coastal Station - 23 nos.
● Ferry terminals - 05 nos.
● Field offices - 15 nos.
● Pilot Stations - 24 nos (Chittagong, Ramgoti, Barisal, Chandpur, Narayangonj, Natua Para, Madaripur, Kowkhali, Mongla, Khulna, Angtihara, Maowa, Aricha, Kawlia, Sirajgonj, Kazipur, Bahadurabad, Chilmari, Dai-Khawa, Patuakhali, Bhairab Bazar, Lipsa, Paturia, Baidyer Bazar.)
● Annual passengers carried - 9125 million
● Existing Dredgers - 7 nos.
● Inland survey and inspection vessels - 81 nos.
● Pontoon and barge - 410 nos.
● Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) Stations - 5 nos.

Information of waterways:

Status of inland waterways:

The waterways of Bangladesh have been classified into four categories depending on least available depth (LAD) ranging from 3.90 m to 1.50m.
 

Development and Revenue Expenditure of last 5 years:

BIWTA as a statutory organization functioning as a Development Agency on behalf of GOB in the Inland Water Sector. So, its performance is evaluated on the basis of service provided instead of profit earned.

                                                                                (Figure in lakhs Tk.)

 
Income & Expenditure summary of last five years:

                                                                                           (Figure in Lakhs Tk.)

Probable foreign investment area :

●    Inland Container Terminals
●    Dredger procurement and dredging
●    Procurement of Salvage vessels
●    Supply and installation of Aids to navigation.

Privatization:

In view of the policy of the government to implement infrastructure projects by private investors, the following projects are under process for implementation by BIWTA.

●    Development of Inland Container Terminal at Khanpur, Narayangonj.

    This project will be implemented on BOT basis by private sector. The lease period of the project is 30 years. Tender was floated in the daily news papers. Pre-bid meeting was held on 12-03-2005 and further processing is going on.All information relating to this project will be available at the website www.iifc.net.

●    Development of Inland Container Terminal at Pangaon, Dhaka.

    In view of the government decision, this project will be implemented jointly by BIWTA and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). Financing of the project infrastructure will be borne by the CPA. After completion of the project, the terminal will be leased out to private sector for operation.

Contact Address

Head Office

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)
BIWTA Bhaban
141-143, Motijheel Commercial Area
Dhaka-1000.
Phone No : 9556151-55
Fax : 880-2-9551072
E-Mail : biwta@bttb.net.bd
E-Mail : hyd_dept@bttb.net.bd
 

Dhaka (Sadarghat) Port

Phone:- 773372.

Narayangonj Port

Phone:- 9712514.

Chandpur Port

Phone:- 0841-63205

Aricha Port

Phone:- 0651/75180.

Barisal Port

Phone:- 0431-52350

Khulna Port

Phone:- 041-721929

Patuakhali Port

Phone:- 0441-62340

For more information www.biwta.gov.bd