Editorial
Putting an end to launch disasters
Implement probe committee's recommendations
The probe committee formed to investigate the Munshiganj launch tragedy in its report says the capsized launch was overloaded to the point that it failed to maintain its balance when a sand-laden vessel hit it. Although it was carrying only 15 passengers above the limit, it was overloaded with goods estimated at 15.26 tonnes beyond its capacity. We wonder how such blatant violation of rules can take place when the Department of Shipping is there to regulate and check these illegal activities.
Shockingly, the Department of Shipping has only five officials to verify fitness and other related requirements for nearly 12,300 vessels of which 2,188 are passenger carriers. The overall picture is more ominous. A news item in this daily on Thursday reveals there is a huge number of unregistered vessels in a total of 35,000.
More worrying is that since 2001 there have been 477 accidents in waterways passenger carriers, including boats and trawlers, which caused no less than 2,687 deaths and left 700 people missing. However, despite the formation of probe committees after every massive launch accident, no progress has been made in trying and punishing those responsible. Nor has any recommendation by the probe committees been properly heeded.
Launches are one of the easiest as well as cheapest modes of transportation in our country. But owing to inadequate monitoring of the regulating body and its extreme shortage of manpower, recurrence of tragic accidents is claiming hundreds of lives every year. Therefore, we want the shipping ministry to take this matter very seriously and take stringent actions so as to prevent all unfit vessels from plying and all fit ones from being overloaded. All passenger carriers should also be provided with lifebuoys and life jackets.
The said probe report has provided some recommendations that include mandatory registration for all cargo vessels and implementation of a law to stop sand-laden vessels plying at night. A strong river police force seems necessary to ensure enforcement of the law.
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