Ban on vessel service on risky routes starts
The seven-month-long restriction on plying of water vessels, including launches and trawlers, on risky four routes touching 23 stations in the danger zone of Meghna River estuary and coastal areas, will be effective from today.
The ban, without an arrangement of alternative transportation will confine a large number of people to islands and endanger their lives because of travel by unsafe small transports.
Acknowledging this, deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Kazi Wakil Newaz yesterday said, the ban on plying passenger transports without having valid licence or sea-survey fitness, is aimed at saving lives of the travellers.
The 210-day restriction was imposed first by the sea transportation directorate on June 18, 2000 on 3000 kilometer routes touching major stations like Shabajpur, Mozuchowdhurir Hat, Daulatkhan, Mirzakalu, Char Alexander, Serajganj, Shashiganj, Betua, Aslampur, Buriabon, Barguna, Patharghata, Baro Machuakati on Meghna, Ilisha, Kocha, Baleswar, Bishkhali, Tentulia and Bura Gourango.
The restriction is imposed because of nor'wester, cyclone and storm during monsoon threatening lives of travellers in the river estuaries and coastal belts in the southern region.
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