The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) alleged that the government’s initiatives for home bound people’s safe journey during upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays are not sufficient, says a press release.
The organization on Sunday made the allegation in a pre -Eid observation report. .
The NCPSRR expressed their apprehension that public sufferings on waterways and roads might increase this year due to lack of proper management of the authorities concerned while the time is a season of natural calamity.
Referring to several government and non-government organizations and experts concerned, the report said that about 1.29 crore people would leave Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj for different districts during the Eid.
Among the people, about 55 per cent would use roads, 25 per cent waterways and 20 per cent railways, which would put huge extra pressure on bus, railway and launch terminals, the report said.
The national committee’s observation said that the administrations concerned could not stop plying sand and cement laden vessels and passengers carrier mechanized boats at night in different waterways, including Buriganga river, in spite of shipping ministry’s embargo. It is very risky for river safety.
Among 87 launches, plying on Padma’s Shimulia-Kathalbari river route regularly, almost 90 per cent are structurally and technically faulty and have expired economic life time years before, the report said.
