Unfit vessels spell danger

The river route from Barisal to Dhaka has become risky due to plying of unfit and faulty vessels, said speakers at a views-exchange meeting in Barisal yesterday.  

Moreover, the absence of law enforcers on board poses a threat to the passengers' safety while on the journey, they said.  

The meeting among different stakeholders took place at Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) Headquarters with BMP Commissioner Md Mahfuzur Rahman in the chair. 

Representatives from water transport owners, law enforcement agencies, launch labourers' association, Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and different civil society platforms, were present.

BMP commissioner requested water transport owners to deploy Ansar personnel in the vessels for maintaining safety and security of the passengers.

"During the Eid special trips, police will try to ensure safe journey for the holidaymakers," assured the BMP commissioner.

Launch owner Rezaul Islam Rezin said they used to deploy Ansar members in the vessels plying the route.

However, the cost of hiring Ansar personnel has increased these days; therefore, except Sundarban-10, other water transports avoid deploying Ansar members.

In the absence of law enforcers, journey on Dhaka-Barisal route has become risky, said lawyer Ismail Hossain Negaban, also a passenger.

Police officials advised the water transport owners to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on all water transports before starting special trips on the occasion of Eid.

Golam Rouf Khan, deputy commissioner of BMP, alleged that many passenger-carrying water vessels had failed to install CCTV cameras.

Police also requested BIWTA authorities to restrict operation of unfit vessels.