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Launch disasters and the ministry

7 March 2005, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Zahir U. Hyder Dhaka
7 March 2005, 18:00 PM
The recent news in the national dailies regarding bribery in the shipping department has pushed us one step to find out one of the root causes of launch disasters in Bangladesh. In the last incident, as we have seen, the minister and the relevant officials made a formal visit to the site and tried to defend the government on river transport management. This is not acceptable to the general people and the family members of the victims. It does not reflect the sincerity and honest intention of the ministry to resolve the problem. It is useless if we do not find any effective action plan to identify the causes behind launch disasters.

According to the report, there are many reasons for these disasters. Firstly, the designs of some motor launches are not technically flawless, but some corrupt architects in the shipping department certify these vessels.

Secondly, the launch owners are not showing any commitment to go by the rules and safety regulations due to lack of control of the concerned government authorities.

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Thirdly, the "Sareng" of these launches are sometimes reluctant to work long hours and forget about their duties and responsibilities. As a result the helpers of the motor launches take charge.

Fourthly, the existing launch fleet is not adequate to meet the demand of passengers, especially during festivals, holidays and weekends.

So, it is the time to reorganise the whole structure of the shipping department. The ministry has to be dynamic and effective.