A dangerous proposal

We are alarmed at the proposal of private launch owners to stop the ongoing process of resurveying fitness of launches across the country. Though the suggestion has come apparently as a solution to meet the huge rush of passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, such a proposal, if approved, will put the lives of countless passengers at risk. 

After the Pinak-6 capsized in August last year, the issue of unfit water vessels came to the fore as a major reason behind recurrent launch accidents. Later, the shipping ministry decided to resurvey the fitness of around 300 launches across the country. It is crucial to conduct the survey to check whether the launches are fit and in need of repair or modification. The concerned ministry has already resurveyed 87 launches and found technical and engineering faults in some of them. Against this background, the proposal of stopping this long-overdue survey is totally unacceptable. According to experts, if the proposal is implemented, plying of unfit vehicles would certainly cause accidents and loss of lives. 

Launch owners have also asked permission for vessels to ply on Shimulia-Kawrakandi route on Padma at night. As per existing rule of BIWTA, no launch is allowed to ply on that route after sunset. The government should scrutinise this proposal before allowing such an exception while keeping the safety of passengers as top priority.