The government must take effective measures to improve the country’s river transport system and ensure passengers’ safety, speakers at a discussion have demanded.
Waterway transport is the cheapest and most viable means for carrying passengers and goods, but its condition is worsening by the day due to the negligence and mismanagement of the authorities, they observed.
The remarks came at a discussion on the prevailing waterway transport system jointly organised by Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB) and Safe Waterway Implementation Movement at the city’s Moni Singh-Farhad Trust Bhaban yesterday.
The programme marked the first anniversary of the Coco-4 capsize at Lalmohon in Bhola that killed of over 100 people.
Following the accident on November 27 last year, a case was filed against officials of the Rahman Navigations, the owning company of the launch. Later they got bail from the court.
Speakers alleged that there is no further development of the case. Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman is the owner of the shipping company.
Enamul Haque, former director general of Water Development Board, stressed the need for restoration of navigability of the waterways for smooth movement of watercraft.
Ruhin Hossain Prince, a central committee member of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), urged the authorities concerned to ensure strict measures against unfit launches.
Presenting the keynote paper, GCB General Secretary Asish Kumar Dey placed a set of recommendations to improve the sector including exemplary punishment of the government officials who gave fitness certificate to the MV Coco-4, strengthening the shipping department and appointing prosecution officer in Marine Court.
GCB president Nurur Rahman Selim, Safe Waterway Implementation Movement member secretary Aminur Rashul, among others, were present at the discussion.
