Highlights:
- Steamer: PS Mahsud
- Built: 1929, Garden Reach Workshop, Kolkata
- Original Engine: Steam-powered
- Converted: To diesel in 1983; mechanical gear system in 1995
- Capacity: 1,000 passengers (Tourism trips will carry 323)
- Route: Dhaka (Sadarghat) to Barishal and back, every Friday and Saturday
- Features: 3-class seating, heritage corner, traditional dining, cultural shows
- Facility includes: scenic river journey, Meghna River views, overnight stay option
Foisal Ahmed
At first glance, it could be a scene out of a colonial-era painting, a grand old paddle steamer with sweeping decks and palace-like interiors cutting gently across the calm waters of the Meghna River. But this is no dusty memory—it’s 2025, and the century-old PS Mahsud steamer is ready to sail again, this time with a brand-new mission—to take tourists on a heritage-filled voyage through the rivers of Bangladesh.
Docked at Babu Bazar Ghat, the majestic paddle steamer is getting its final touch-ups before grand re-entry into the limelight. On October 24, 2025, number of advisors and high government official along with important guests will step aboard for an inaugural trial trip—marking a historic moment not just for the ship, but for the revival of paddle steamer tourism in the country.
“It’s not just about launching a ship,” says Md. Salim Ullah, Chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
“It’s about preserving our past, fulfilling people’s long-cherished dreams, and opening new economic doors through tourism”, added the Chairman, eyes gleaming with pride.
A floating piece of history
Built in 1929 at the famed Garden Reach Workshop in Kolkata, PS Mahsud once ruled the rivers of undivided Bengal. A true relic of the steam-powered era, it was first retrofitted with a diesel engine in 1983 and later modernized with a mechanical gear system in 1995.
Now, it’s been lovingly restored and repurposed—not just as a vessel, but as a living museum.
The ship will carry up to 1,000 passengers, although the weekly tourism trips between Dhaka and Barishal will accommodate around 323 tourists per journey to allow a more curated and relaxed experience.
Salim Ullah said, every Friday morning, the steamer will set off from Sadarghat in Dhaka, gliding southward to Barishal.
The return journey will commence from Barishal on Saturday morning, giving travelers not only the joy of a cruise but a full day and night of immersive experience on board, he added.
Class, culture and culinary delights
Step into the first-class section, and you might do a double take. With interiors reminiscent of a royal house, it feels more like a palace on water than a passenger vessel. Plush seating, vintage decor, and ornate finishes make it easy to imagine colonial governors or world-renowned travelers sipping tea as they gazed out at the riverbanks.
There are three separate classes onboard—each with its own dedicated dining room, where travelers can feast on traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.
“Food will be a big part of the experience,” said Nazrul Islam Misha, officer of BIWTC. “We want people to taste the history as much as they see it.”
And for those with a taste for stories? Misha assured, the newly introduced ‘Heritage Corner’ will showcase artifacts, memorabilia, and tales from the steamer’s glory days—including nods to iconic personalities who once traveled these waters.
As evening falls, the decks will come alive with cultural performances, music, and folk tales under the stars. For travelers wishing to linger, the ship will offer overnight stays while docked in Barishal—making the experience feel like a river resort with historical flair.
Why paddle steamers, why now?
The timing couldn’t be better. As many nations in South Asia have successfully harnessed their waterways for tourism, Bangladesh is ready to join the current.
“Steamers have been part of our heritage since the 18th century,” Chairman Salim Ullah explains, “We are simply reviving a treasure. There are only a handful of paddle steamers left in the world still in service—why should Bangladesh stay behind?”
And there’s more than nostalgia driving the effort, he added, “The tourism sector has strengthened economies across South Asia. Bangladesh has the natural beauty and rich culture to do the same. With the right investments, we can turn heritage into prosperity.”
