The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is going to re-launch historic paddle steamer ‘PS Mahsud’ as a tourist vessel, restoring its century-old glory with a new look and modern facilities.

The steamer has fully been renovated for running on the Dhaka-Barishal-Dhaka route from 15 November.

However, the BIWTC has not yet decided who will operate it- the corporation itself or a private operator.

It had earlier invited bids to lease out the vessel, but no private operator showed any response to the initial call, with officials saying a fresh bidding process will be initiated soon.

According to BIWTC sources, PS Mahsud was built in 1929 at the Garden Reach Workshop in Kolkata. Originally powered by steam engines, it was converted into a diesel-run one by the Dockyard and Engineering Workshop in 1983, and later upgraded to a mechanical gear system. The vessel has undergone several rounds of renovation over the decades.

The steamer, popularly known as the rocket service, used to transport passengers on the Dhaka-Barishal and Dhaka-Khulna route. But after the opening of the Padma Bridge, demand for the water passenger service collapsed, leaving the historic steamer docked at various ghats. It is currently stationed at Badamtali Ghat, near Babu Bazar Bridge in Dhaka.

On 25 October, Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said the steamer has been renovated with modern facilities and safety measures after long-term preservation.

“Paddle steamer Mahsud is now fully ready. The formal inauguration on the Dhaka-Barishal route will be held on 15 November with a grand ceremony, after which it will operate as a regular tourism service,” he said.

The adviser described the vessel as more than just a ship- a living symbol of Bangladesh’s river culture and heritage. “We want the new generation to witness how rivers were once the lifeline of communication and culture."

He added that the government plans to restore other historic steamers, including PS Ostrich, PS Lepcha and PS Turn, to promote river-based tourism and preserve maritime heritage.

Contacted, BIWTC Public Relations Officer Nazrul Islam Misha said the corporation carried out extensive modification and development work to revive the steamer.

“There are very few operational steamers left in the world, and we still have four of them. The steamer had been lying abandoned for years, but we are bringing it back to life- both as a tourist attraction and a tribute to our river heritage.”

Misha also added that the vessel’s hull and superstructure have been reinforced with new steel plates, and safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, and life buoys have been installed. “A heritage corner featuring photos of world figures, who once travelled on the vessel, is also being set up.”

A BIWTC document confirmed that the earlier tender for leasing out PS Mahsud, open from 25 September to 8 October, drew no bidders. Officials said the corporation is still weighing whether to operate the vessel itself or lease it to a private company.