After nearly two and a half month of suspension due to poor navigability in the Kaptai Lake, launch movement in three upazilas of the district resumed Sunday last.
Tourism experts are now hopeful that the upazilas will be thriving again with huge number of tourists as usual.
The launch owners association has finally reached to a decision to resume the launch operation as the water level of the lake has increased following onrush of hill water and rainfall. They took the decision on Saturday.
However, launch movement in other upazilas like Naniarchar and Baghaichhari upazilas will be resumed after further improvement of water level.
The Kaptai Lake was built over the Karnaphuli River as part of the Kaptai Hydroelectric power plant project in 1960. After its opening, it became the source of livelihood of local people through fish farming, river communication, irrigation, tourism and others.
Shyamratan Chakma, vice-chairman of Barkal Upazila Parishad and Riton Chakma, vice-chairman of Juraichhari upazila Parishad, said during the dry season, hidden shoals emerge in different parts in Naniarchar, Baghaichhari, Longdu, Barkal, Jurachhari and Bilaichhari upazilas of the district, forcing the authorities concerned to suspend launch services.
Locals said no step was taken to dredge the lake in the last 59 years for improving its navigability despite their repeated demands.
