Defying ban, running into risk

Sagor Kannaya-2, owned by a state minister, is ready at Ilisha BIWTA terminal for a risky journey to Laxmipur, a route banned for it. PHOTO: STAR

Plying of such launches in the routes including the 18-mile Bhola-Laxmipur route is not allowed from March 15 to October 15 to avoid disaster because the estuary remains very rough during the period. Only approved BIWTA sea trucks are allowed to ply the routes during the period.

But the launch owners also obstruct plying of comparatively safer sea trucks, passengers and BIWTA sources alleged.

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Most of the vessels defying the ban are owned by influential people.

Two such launches-- MV Sagor Kannaya-2 and MV Upadwip -- owned by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharraf Hossain Shajahan are illegally ply the most risky Bhola-Laxmipur route (from Ilisha in Bhola to Maju Chowdhurir Hat in Laxmipur). Shajahan hails from Bhola. MV Siddik Khan, also plying the route, is owned by an influential leader of the Launch Owners Association.

Both the MV Sagor Kannaya-2 and the MV Upadwip sank earlier. Passengers perished but the launches were salvaged and pressed into service again.

The MV Upadwip was previously named MV Dwipkannaya. After salvage, it was named MV Upadwip, sources said.

The 18-mile non-stop journey from Ilisha in Bhola to Maju Chowdhurir Hat in Laxmipur through the Meghna estuary is very risky because the area remains very rough with high waves and strong winds even in normal weather.

In the last four years, several hundred people drowned in at least six major disasters during March-October. Five to eight hundred passengers use this route every day, the sources said.

Allegations have it that the launch operators and their musclemen often forcibly anchor their unauthorised launches at BIWTA terminals reserved for sea trucks and compel passengers to board their launches.

Amir Hossain, Master of Sagor Kannaya-2, while talking to this correspondent, admitted that the vessel is plying illegally. "We have nothing to do against the will of the owner", he said.

BIWTA sources at Barisal port also admitted that small and unfit launches are plying the Ilisha-Maju Chowdhurir Hat route defying the ban.

Seeking anonymity, they said they sent letters to Bhola and Laxmipur district administrations, police, launch owners associations and the DG Sea Transport to take action against the violators, but to no effect.

Md Azizul Huq Akkas, who leased BIWTC sea truck Khizi-8 said, he is incurring loss every day due to illegal operation of small launches in the Bhola-laxmipur route. He can not even earn the lease money of Tk 18,000 daily, he claimed.