The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE major river routes in the southern region have lost navigability at many points of the rivers which are vital for carrying thousands of passengers and hundreds of tons of commodities every day to and from the capital city. Emergence of innumerable shoals and fall in water levels of most of the major rivers very often cause river vessels to run aground, particularly in the winter season, disrupting communication rather frequently. Navigability problem due to lack of routine dredging of river routes has now become acute. The state-owned Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is to 'maintain' the water routes across the country, but it has inadequate equipment, save seven age-old dredgers, and funds for the purpose.

Uncertainty and day-to-day problems have turned serious to all concerned with water transport business and the people in general as the administration is not addressing those at the required pace. Consequently, river communication of twenty-one districts in the south and western regions including Barisal and Khulna with the capital and the port city of Chittagong is beset with problems. Operators of water transports blame successive governments for turning a blind eye to the vital issue of river communication for decades.

Many of the mighty rivers that once used to flow with full natural might

have lost navigability and this is causing obstacles to the river vessels. Large category of river vessels require at least 14-foot deep water, the second category vessels 8-foot deep water flow and the third category of small river vessels, even boats require at least 5-foot deep water to ply safely. But as rivers lose navigability dredging work of the BIWTA is facing setback in the absence of what is called 'a master plan' needed for maintaining country's vital river routes.