Illegal trawlers, speedboats rule Barisal waterway

Although the government has taken steps to stop plying of three-wheelers on the highways, hundreds of trawlers, small cargo and speedboats carrying goods and passengers illegally continue to operate on various rivers routes.  In violation of marine laws, over 1,500 trawlers and speedboats are operating illegally on the 36 river routes in the Barisal river port area. These vessels are operating without registration, fitness certificate, route permits and are not paying tax to the government. The BIWTA and the River Safety and Traffic Management Authority have failed to control the problem. Sources at the BIWTA Barisal office said that a case has been filed in the High Court to stop the illegal river transportation business. But the owners of these boats continue to operate in violation of the court order.
Over 1,000 trawlers, using less than 16 HP engines, are commercially plying on all river routes in Barisal, carrying passengers. Apart from this, around 500 speedboats are commercially operating on both sides of the river, including the Barisal DC ghat and the Laharhat ghat. Md. Abul Bashar Majumdar, Deputy Director of Barisal River Safety and Traffic Management, said the operations of these trawlers and boats are completely illegal. The Barisal River Port Authority has received complaints in this regards. Even the port police have failed to stop the illegal operations. Last year, a special drive was conducted and cases were filed against 45 illegal trawlers, but it didn’t have much of an impact. He said that the port authorities recently held a meeting with the district administration, but nothing came of it. Md. Nurul Kabir, Survey Inspector of DG Shipping said that the owners of the illegal boats are backed by influential people. They even violate warnings of dangerous weather conditions. “After the BIWTA issues its order, we stop plying our vessels, including MV launch, from July 31, but the illegal boats ignore the order,” said Kabir. A speedboat sank in the Kirtonkhola river on July 20 during the Eid holidays. Luckily, all 10 passengers were saved. The BIWTA claims that they tried to control the situation several times, but came under strong political pressure. Some influential politicians are involved in this business.
These trawlers carrying passengers and cargo are often overloaded. They operate on all major domestic routes, including Charmoni, Sreepur, Bukhinagar, Shibpur, Jangalia, Hazir Hat, Charfession, Majur Hat, Vassan Char, Kalaia, Baderpur, Baufal, Bazid Khan, Nalua,  Saheber Hat, Boga, Kalisuri, Chandramohon, Bisherkhthi, Pathkathi, Girail, Madhukhali, Dighirpar, Dhulia, Baherchar, Nalcity, Kawkhali, Mehendigang, Char Biswas, Goma, Lalmohon, Char Kolmi among others. Some trawlers are plying illegally from the Barisal launch ghat everyday on the Mehendigang, Bhola, Char Biswas, Char Kolmi and Lalmohon routes.
They are even operating on the Char Alekzendar-Daulatkhan- Mirjakalu- Aslampur, Tazumuddin-Monpura, Ilisha-Char Manika, Barisal-Charmontaj- Char Kolmi and Moju Chowdurir routes, violating government restrictions during the dangerous period from March 15-October 15.
They often use a separate ghat at Kalibabur on the Port road alleged Barisal port officials and river traffic police. A large number of trawlers are operated by untrained youngsters in risky weather conditions. Accidents and loss of life is a regular feature here.
The BIWTA and the River Safety and Traffic Management authorities claimed that they are not to be held responsible for the accidents because these boats are neither registered nor do they have route permits. Legal launch owners claimed that they have informed the district administration and the police in writing, but no action has been taken till now. They also blamed some dishonest port officials and the port police for turning a blind eye to the illegal river transportation business.

Illegal trawlers, speedboats rule Barisal waterway

Although the government has taken steps to stop plying of three-wheelers on the highways, hundreds of trawlers, small cargo and speedboats carrying goods and passengers illegally continue to operate on various rivers routes. In violation of marine laws, over 1,500 trawlers and speedboats are operating illegally on the 36 river routes in the Barisal river port area. These vessels are operating without registration, fitness certificate, route permits and are not paying tax to the government. The BIWTA and the River Safety and Traffic Management Authority have failed to control the problem. Sources at the BIWTA Barisal office said that a case has been filed in the High Court to stop the illegal river transportation business. But the owners of these boats continue to operate in violation of the court order. Over 1,000 trawlers, using less than 16 HP engines, are commercially plying on all river routes in Barisal, carrying passengers. Apart from this, around 500 speedboats are commercially operating on both sides of the river, including the Barisal DC ghat and the Laharhat ghat. Md. Abul Bashar Majumdar, Deputy Director of Barisal River Safety and Traffic Management, said the operations of these trawlers and boats are completely illegal. The Barisal River Port Authority has received complaints in this regards. Even the port police have failed to stop the illegal operations. Last year, a special drive was conducted and cases were filed against 45 illegal trawlers, but it didnt have much of an impact. He said that the port authorities recently held a meeting with the district administration, but nothing came of it. Md. Nurul Kabir, Survey Inspector of DG Shipping said that the owners of the illegal boats are backed by influential people. They even violate warnings of dangerous weather conditions. After the BIWTA issues its order, we stop plying our vessels, including MV launch, from July 31, but the illegal boats ignore the order, said Kabir. A speedboat sank in the Kirtonkhola river on July 20 during the Eid holidays. Luckily, all 10 passengers were saved. The BIWTA claims that they tried to control the situation several times, but came under strong political pressure. Some influential politicians are involved in this business. These trawlers carrying passengers and cargo are often overloaded. They operate on all major domestic routes, including Charmoni, Sreepur, Bukhinagar, Shibpur, Jangalia, Hazir Hat, Charfession, Majur Hat, Vassan Char, Kalaia, Baderpur, Baufal, Bazid Khan, Nalua, Saheber Hat, Boga, Kalisuri, Chandramohon, Bisherkhthi, Pathkathi, Girail, Madhukhali, Dighirpar, Dhulia, Baherchar, Nalcity, Kawkhali, Mehendigang, Char Biswas, Goma, Lalmohon, Char Kolmi among others. Some trawlers are plying illegally from the Barisal launch ghat everyday on the Mehendigang, Bhola, Char Biswas, Char Kolmi and Lalmohon routes. They are even operating on the Char Alekzendar-Daulatkhan- Mirjakalu- Aslampur, Tazumuddin-Monpura, Ilisha-Char Manika, Barisal-Charmontaj- Char Kolmi and Moju Chowdurir routes, violating government restrictions during the dangerous period from March 15-October 15. They often use a separate ghat at Kalibabur on the Port road alleged Barisal port officials and river traffic police. A large number of trawlers are operated by untrained youngsters in risky weather conditions. Accidents and loss of life is a regular feature here. The BIWTA and the River Safety and Traffic Management authorities claimed that they are not to be held responsible for the accidents because these boats are neither registered nor do they have route permits. Legal launch owners claimed that they have informed the district administration and the police in writing, but no action has been taken till now. They also blamed some dishonest port officials and the port police for turning a blind eye to the illegal river transportation business.