‘Conduct mobile court to curb irregularities in waterways’

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) today underscored the need for strengthening mobile court drives against irregularities and mismanagements in services of waterways ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

It also called upon the authority concerned for deploying the adequate number of law enforcers at ferry terminals to maintain disciplines during the huge rush of people heading homes in the Eid vacation.

NCPSRR, a non-government organisation, also placed a 10-point recommendation before the government to ensure security and safety for passengers on the waterway ahead of the Eid.

In a press statement, the committee placed the recommendations to the State Minister for Shipping and Shipping Secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of NCPSRR, told The Daily Star.

The committee also sought tough action to prevent overloading of ferries and launches at Shimulia-Kathalbari and Paturia-Doulatdia ferry terminals.

It also urged the district police administration to stop the operation of illegal and faulty vessels in coastal, Haor and hilly areas during the Eid vacation.

It also sought steps to introduce weather updates every hour through loudspeaker announcement and through TV or radio channels at all the terminals.

The committee said people of coastal areas will prefer waterways to reach their village homes ahead of the Eid to avoid possible traffic jam and accidents on highways, which will intensify pressure on waterways during this monsoon.

So, the authority should take advance steps to make the journey of the home-goers safer and more secure, it added.