15. (1) The Authority may perform any or all of the following functions, namely:- (i) carry out river conservancy works including river training works for navigational purposes and for provision of aids to navigation, including marks, buoys, lights and semaphore signals; (ii) disseminate navigational and meteorological information including publishing river charts; (iii) maintain pilotage and hydrographic survey services; (iv) draw up programmes of dredging requirements and priorities for efficient maintenance of existing navigable waterways, and for resuscitation of dead or dying rivers, channels, or canals, including development of new channels and canals for navigation; (v) develop, maintain and operate inland river ports, landing ghats and terminal facilities in such ports or ghats; (vi) carry out removal of wrecks and obstructions in inland navigable waterways; (vii) conduct traffic surveys to establish passenger and cargo requirements on the main rivers, feeders and creek routes; (viii) develop the most economical facilities for passenger traffic to ensure comfort, safety and speed on mechanised craft; (ix) fix maximum and minimum fares and freight rates for Inland Water Transport on behalf of the Government as provided in ¹[section 59 of the Inland Shipping Ordinance, 1976]; (x) approve time-tables for passenger services; (xi) develop rural water transport by progressing of schemes for modernising and mechanising country craft; (xii) ensure co-ordination of Inland Water Transport with other forms of transport, with major sea ports, and with trade and agricultural interests for the optimum utilisation of the available transport capacity; (xiii) conduct research in matters relating to Inland Water Transport including development of- (a) craft design, (b) technique of towage, (c) landing and terminal facilities, (d) port installations; (xiv) arrange programmes of technical training for Inland Water Transport personnel within and outside ²[Bangladesh]; (xv) maintain liaison with the shipyard and ship repair industry to meet the requirements of the Inland Water Transport fleet repairs and new constructions; (xvi) ³[* * *] facilitate import of repair materials for the Inland Water Transport Industry; (xvii) prepare plans or ⁴[development schemes] for carrying out any of the above mentioned functions; (xviii) any other function or functions which the Government may, from time to time, prescribe. ⁵[(2) The procedure prescribed by the Government from time to time for preparation and approval of development scheme shall apply in the matter of preparation and approval of development scheme of the Authority;] (3) [Omitted by section 6 of the Inland Water Transport Authority (Amendment) Act, 1997 (Act No. IX of 1997).]