Bhola Correspondent: Passengers have alleged that canteens on various passenger launches operating on the Bhola–Dhaka river route are selling low-quality food and drinks at exorbitant prices.

According to passengers, food items are being sold at several times the fixed price, forcing ordinary travelers to pay extra every day. When passengers protest, they often face rude behavior from canteen staff and launch employees.

On Sunday, May 10, multiple passengers aboard the Karnafuli-9 launch from Bhola to Dhaka said that launches including Karnafuli, Pubali, and Doyelpakhi regularly operate from Elisha Launch Ghat both day and night. In the canteens of these vessels, water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits, and regular meals are being sold at inflated rates. In many cases, prices charged exceed even the MRP printed on products, passengers claim.

Passengers reported that a cup of plain tea costs Tk 10–15, milk tea Tk 20–25, a Tk 20 water bottle Tk 30–40, and Tk 10 chips Tk 20. Regular lunch and dinner meals of average quality are also being sold at double or triple the normal price. With the journey being long, passengers have no choice but to buy from the canteens.

Abdus Salam, a passenger traveling from Elisha to Dhaka, said, “There’s no chance to buy anything from outside once the launch is moving. We have to depend on the canteen. They exploit this and charge extra. It’s like petty robbery.”

Shovon Biswas, traveling from Dhaka to Bhola, alleged, “I boarded the 8:00 am launch for Bhola. At noon, I went to eat at the Doyelpakhi canteen and ran into trouble. A plate of rice was Tk 40, chicken Tk 160–200, a piece of small fish or poa fish Tk 160–200, a small bowl of dal Tk 50, and mashed potato Tk 50 — even though potatoes cost Tk 18–20 per kg in the market. When I protested the high prices, canteen staff and crew behaved rudely.”

Passengers allege that due to lack of monitoring by authorities, these irregularities have continued for years without effective action. Hundreds of passengers are being financially exploited daily.

Concerned passengers have urged intervention from the Department of Shipping, river police, and district administration. They demand regular monitoring, mandatory display of price lists at every canteen, and mobile court drives by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection or BSTI to curb such practices.

Meanwhile, Bhola Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Arifuzzaman told the media, “Instructions will be issued soon to display fixed price lists of food items to stop overcharging at launch canteens. If complaints of rude behavior by canteen staff or launch crew are received, necessary action will be taken.”

Similar irregularities are reportedly occurring on other river routes in the district. Stakeholders said launch owners must take prompt and effective steps to stop overcharging in the name of passenger service. Otherwise, public suffering will only increase.