During Eid, thousands of passengers journey through river routes every year, especially launches, into their destination to see dear and near ones at rural and urban homes across the country. According to newspaper reports, at least 30 defective launches are getting a quick facelift with minor cosmetic repairs at various dockyards in Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital, aiming to make a fast buck by carrying passengers of the southern districts during the Eid festival.
Launch journey has been proven to be dangerous during the mad rush of Eid holidays as reports of major accidents and tragic deaths were carried out by different print and electronic media. Excessive overloading of passengers, faulty vessels, risky competition, mismanagement and lack of skilled and competent crews are a huge threat to the safety of travelers. With Eid-ul-Fitr knocking on the door, there are reports that faulty launches are being inadequately repaired and refurbished during this busy period, endangering hundreds of lives in our riverine country. Experts and knowledgeable public have warranted that with the upcoming monsoon season, most of the river routes will be risky for travel due to strong current, ebb and flow influenced by the upcoming new moon.
Meanwhile, the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) in a report on Tuesday said the Sadarghat terminal will witness an unusual pressure as 40 lakh people from three districts — Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj — are likely to travel to the coastal districts by river vehicles. The manner in which some old and ill-equipped vessels were being repaired in a rush will increase the risk of accidents in the waterways during the busy time of Eid, apprehends the NCPSRR. However, it alleged that the launch owners manage fitness certificates in connivance with the officials concerned.
Though the government is talking about conducting mobile courts and increasing the vigilance of law enforcers to stop plying of unfit and overcrowding vessels, those measures are hardly fruitful,” said the national committee. Under the circumstance, relevant government functionaries should take strict measures marked by adequate vigilance to examine the operational competency of water vehicles in the best interest of overall safety and security of Eid travelers through river routes.
