Risky journey on faulty vessels

. PHOTO: STAR

The authorities here seemed to have little concern to bring those inland water transports or their owners to justice. Besides, they lack appropriate control on them.

About 3,000 vessels like steamer, engine boat, launch and trawler ply the rough sea and Karnaphuli estuary for different destinations in the country.

Most of the vessels don't have any safety measures to protect passengers from dangers during their voyages on turbulent water.

The vessels with structural changes or faults find no problem to ply with overloaded passengers or dangerously loaded cargoes and even dare to make voyages during inclement weather, leaving scope for grave accidents.

The riverine route from Chittagong is extended to Cox's Bazar, Bhola, Barisal, Chandpur, Sandwip and Kutubdia.

Of the 17 routes from here, highest number of vessels plies to Sandwip and Kutubdia and these two routes are most vulnerable to accidents, sources said.

"But most of the water transports do not follow the rules including valid survey certificate, proper manning, necessary equipment or sufficient horse power," sources said.

The steamers now plying are aged between 30 to 40 years and quite often they become inoperative in the midst of any voyage, leaving the passengers in panic and awkward situation.

"These transports with capacity of 500 passengers normally carry over 1,000 passengers," said a passenger.

"We are compelled to go by these vessels with risks as we don't have any other option," said Abu Syed Azad, a trader from offshore island of Sandwip.

"A concerted effort among the departments concerned such as Department of Shipping, Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), can reduce the malpractice of unscrupulous vessel owners," said CPA magistrate Mohammad Munir Chowdhury.

Munir said, "Joint drives by those departments as well as deployment of sufficient magistrates can help further in this regard and ensure safer voyages on water."

The departments currently have only two magistrates and a 'marine court' to look after the vast riverine territory across the country, sources said. "At least 10 magistrates and three marine courts are needed to manage the uphill task," sources added.