Once, the rivers of Bangladesh were not just arteries of nature – they were lifelines of travel, commerce, and culture. Before highways sprawled across the delta and luxury vessels ruled the waters, there was another kind of journey: slow, stately, and steeped in nostalgia.
The paddle ships – once hailed as the ‘King of the River’ – was more than just a vessel. It was an era.
A legacy on water
During the British colonial period, the government launched a fleet of majestic steamers to connect Dhaka with the southern regions. These weren’t your ordinary boats. Powered by massive side-mounted paddle wheels and propelled by rhythmic churning, these vessels cut through the water like royalty on parade.
They whistled like thunder across the rivers, drawing crowds to the ghats. Each departure was an event. People rushed to the docks—not just to travel, but to experience a way of life.
Known officially as Paddle Steamers, these vessels included names that still echo in local memory: PS Mahsud (1928), PS Gazi, PS Ostrich (1929), PS Lepcha (1938), and PS Tern (1950). Built at Kolkata’s historic Garden Reach Shipyard, they once plied the Dhaka-Kolkata waterway, symbolising a golden age of riverine transport.
For over 150 years, they served as cultural and economic bridges between cities, towns, and villages.
But in September 2022, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) quietly suspended operations, citing declining passenger numbers. A chapter of history seemed to have closed forever.
A whistle to be heard again
On May 10, 2025, the silence was broken.
Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain announced during a visit to Barisal that the iconic paddle steamers would return to the rivers. The news sent ripples of joy through the hearts of those who grew up watching the old giants glide past their childhood windows.
“We have so many memories of traveling by steamer!” said Professor Shah Sajeda, former president of the Barisal Conscious Citizens Committee. “The steamer's thunderous whistle used to float in the air. People would rush to the wharf. It is a different feeling. I am very happy and grateful for the initiative to start steamers again.”
From coal-steam to diesel-combustion, from glory to obscurity
These steamers began life as coal-fired marvels, belching smoke into the sky as they churned through the Padma and Meghna. By 1983, they had transitioned to diesel engines—but retained their charm.
Their design was unmistakable: Two-tiered wooden interiors, wide verandas overlooking the water, traditional furniture, and above all, the giant paddle wheels that gave them their name.
In contrast, today’s modern motor launches are sleek, fast, and often flashy – with modern interiors and amenities, and little room for reflection.
As tastes changed and speed became king, the paddle steamer faded from popularity. PS Gazi was lost to fire in the 1990s. PS Tern and PS Lepcha were retired in recent years. Only fragments of their legacy remained.
Bringing back the past – with new life
Now, the Ministry of Shipping is breathing new life into this heritage.
Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain confirmed that renovation work has begun on four paddle steamers, with plans to launch at least two within the next 5–6 months.
According to BIWTC Director (Commerce) SM Ashikuzzaman, policy decisions have already been made: PS Ostrich and PS Mahsud will be restored and deployed on the Dhaka-Barisal route, primarily for tourism.
PS Lepcha and PS Tern will be preserved as heritage vessels on the Barisal-Khulna route.
Two new ships currently under construction at Western Marine Shipyard in Chattogram await survey clearance. While final schedules and routes are yet to be decided, the vision is clear: to revive the romance of river travel.
More than just tourism
This revival is not merely about attracting tourists or showcasing heritage – it’s about reconnecting with a cultural identity rooted in the rivers of Bangladesh.
“It’s not just about bringing back the boat,” said Professor Shah Sajeda.
“It’s about bringing back the rhythm of life it carried—the conversations, the meals, the sunsets.”
Still, one thing is certain – the paddle steamer is no longer a relic of the past. It is becoming a living symbol of the future – a bridge between tradition and modernity, between land and water, between memory and movement.
And soon, the rivers will hear the sound of paddles again.