They said about half of the 20000 launches, that are now plying regularly in different river routes, have no registration, and most registered launches are not built with proper design.

The press conference was organised jointly by Nirapod Noupath Bastabayan Jote (a coalition to implement safe waterway) and Shipping and Communication Reporters' Forum in observance of the Safe Waterway Day and to commemorate the fourth year of MV Nasrin launch disaster that left around 800 people dead.

The speakers said naval architects are supposed to prepare the design of the launches, but in practice inefficient draftsmen do the job resulting frequent launch accidents.

In a written statement, Aminur Rasul Babul, national coordinator of the alliance, said faulty design, launch drivers' inefficiency, reckless wheeling, excessive loading, defying security laws, absence of search lights, and unawareness about weather forecast are the main reasons for launch accidents.

There is no national guideline for the stability of the country's inland water transports, he said, adding though Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority follows the guidelines of International Maritime Organisation to ensure the stability of water transports, but these guidelines are not appropriate for inland water transports as it has been made for the sea-bound vessels.

Babul said about six crore people travel through 8433-kilometre-long waterways annually, but only Tk 259 crore has been allocated for shipping ministry in the new national budget which is not adequate.

He said the government-sponsored project named 'Inland shipping safety administrative act' has become ineffective as the guidelines of the project were not implemented properly though it was launched to ensure inland water security.

He came up with some recommendations including one-stop service in the Directorate of Marine Transport, setting up four mobile water courts under the magistrates of Chandpur, Barisal, Patuakhali and Khulna districts, compensation for the dead and injured families after amending Inland Water Ordinance 1976, detecting risky routes and formation of taskforce with trained rescuers.

He also recommended setting up police camps with the provision of lifejackets for passengers, and appointment of additional inspectors during Eid, Puja and other festivals.

"We want to wage a movement to ensure safe waterways in the country to resist untimely deaths," he asserted.

Moinuddin Zulfiquer, engineer and ship surveyor of shipping department, said it is regrettable that despite knowing the problems we cannot solve them.

"There are many problems which cannot be solved overnight," he said, adding, " But we are trying to solve them through short and long-term planning in this regard."

The press conference was also addressed by Jote Chairman Syed Alam, members Jayed Iqbal Khan and Shahdat Hossain, and Convener of Save the Environment Movement Abu Naser Khan.