UNB :
Smelling a deep conspiracy behind the repeated incidents of ferries hitting the Padma Bridge, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said government intelligence has been asked to investigate it and find the truth.
“I smell a big conspiracy in the latest hit at Padma Bridge by ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir. It struck the span between the second and third pillars of the bridge in Louhaganj on Tuesday,” he told reporters at his office at the Secretariat.
“As per the height of the Padma Bridge, it is impossible to hit the span of the bridge. Why did it happen today? An investigation is needed to find out who is responsible for it and we did not rule out a motive behind the incident,” said Khalid.
Already the Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader visited the spot and he has ordered the authorities concerned to investigate the incident, he said.
“We want fair investigation and whoever is behind it should be exposed through investigation,” he added.
However, the authorities concerned of Padma Bridge said there is no sign of any mark of damage on the span but they have found a video footage showing the spot of the hit, said the junior minister.
Replying to a query about the results of the previous investigation conducted on Padma Bridge collision Khalid said “No ill motive was found from the previous accidents and it was truly an accident. The process to take action against those responsible for the accidents is underway.”
Referring to the alternative ferry ghat, he said Majhirkandi ghat will be launched as an alternative after the opening of the Padma Bridge. Now there is a navigability problem and light vehicles will cross through the point after clearing all barriers as there is no scope to build a yard there. Padma Bridge authority will give a place for the yard.”
Earlier in the day, a ferry, Birshreshtha Jahangir, hit the span between the second and third pillars of the bridge in Louhaganj. The ferry had no passengers on board. It was heading to Paturia on Tuesday after repairs at Simulia Ghat when the accident occurred.
This is the same ferry that hit pier 10 of Padma Bridge on August 9, injuring five passengers and causing damage to three vehicles it was carrying. The ferry was heading to Paturia on Tuesday after repairs at Simulia Ghat when the accident occurred.
The ferry’s mast was broken following the latest collision, our correspondent reports.
Syed Tajul Islam, chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), told UNB that the mast on the top of the ferry collided with the span between pillars 2 and 3 of Padma Bridge and broke.
However, it is unclear whether Padma Bridge has suffered any damages.
On July 20 and 23 also, the 16th and 17th pillars of Padma Bridge were hit by ferries.
There have been five more cases of ferries hitting the pillars of the bridge this year. General diaries have been filed, inquiry panels have been formed and ferry drivers suspended over these accidents.
It may be mentioned here that authorities have suspended ferry services on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route since August 18 to avoid such accidents.
