The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Unbridled corruption and mismanagement of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has turned water routes into death trap for people, alleged Safe Water Way Implementation Movement at a press conference held at the National Press Club yesterday.

More than 5,000 people had died in 529 launch accidents in the last 36 years in the coastal areas of the country, according to a report of the government.

Addressing the press conference Aminur Rasul Babul, Secretary of National Committee of Safe Water Way Movement, held faulty design of launch, loading of excessive passengers and goods, defiance of weather forecast by the launch crew, temptation of earning huge profit and corruption and mismanagement of BIWTA mainly responsible for the launch mishaps.

Though there are rules for examining and surveying each launch annually, fitness of only 2423 launches out of 7,873 water vehicles was examined recently, he noted.

He further alleged that most of launches were plying on different water routes without fitness certificate under shady deal between the BIWTA officials and launch owners.

He called upon the Government to announce the July 8 as 'Safe Water Way Implementation Day'.

Aminur demanded investigation of the irregularity, corruption and mismanagement of BIWTA and harassment of travellers.

He called for providing life jacket to all launch passengers and development of launch terminals.

He also pleaded for establishing launch terminal under BIWTA at important places, allocating Taka five hundred crore to the water transport sector in Budget, installing radio communication system and airing forecast weather report regularly.

Among others, Rafiqul Alam, Shadat Islam Chowdhury, Monir Ahmed Shuvro, Azizul Islam Bachhu, Sharmin Daizy, Shah Jamal Dulal and Foyez Ahmed attended the press conference.