Ensure navigability of rivers

Poor navigability in the river Padma is likely to disrupt ferry services on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, affecting homebound passengers from 21 southern districts. According to a report of this newspaper on Monday, if the services remain suspended, the holidaymakers will have to use the alternative ferry route of Paturia-Dawlatdia. Ferries need a depth of seven to eight feet to move freely, but the depth of the channel at present is only five feet. At present, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is plying only eight of the 21 ferries with under-load on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route due to poor navigability. As a result, more than 500 vehicles, mostly goods-laden trucks, were stranded on both sides of the Shimulia terminal.

Many rivers of the country are losing their navigability and even some of them are facing threat to their existence due to continuous siltation and grabbing. Through dredging, navigability of a river can be restored. But it is unfortunate to note that crores of taka had been allegedly misused in such river dredging activities. In the past, the river dredging work was started with much fanfare only to be suspended on various pretexts. Proper monitoring, supervision, accountability and transparency of the works to be done are now needed.        

Eid-ul-Azha is approaching. Millions of people hailing from different districts of the country who are engaged in different income-generating activities in the capital city   and other cities and towns will go to their respective birth places to celebrate the Eid. But the journey home is not always safe, smooth and hassle-free. It has become a tendency of some owners of buses, launches and other vehicles to press their unfit vehicles into service during the Eid festivals. The rickety water vessels are getting the touch of refurbishment and painting work.

It is generally seen that the members of the law enforcement agencies and others concerned are not that much cautious and vigilant after the Eid which they maintained before Eid. This is not expected. Overloading and rash driving of vehicles also lead to accidents causing deaths and injuries. What is needed is strict and regular vigilance by the members of the law enforcing agencies so that unfit buses and launches are not pressed into service before and after the Eid. Action should be taken against the owners of such vehicles and water vessels. Awareness should be generated among the people so that they refrain from boarding such vehicles.

 

Ensure navigability of rivers

Poor navigability in the river Padma is likely to disrupt ferry services on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, affecting homebound passengers from 21 southern districts. According to a report of this newspaper on Monday, if the services remain suspended, the holidaymakers will have to use the alternative ferry route of Paturia-Dawlatdia. Ferries need a depth of seven to eight feet to move freely, but the depth of the channel at present is only five feet. At present, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is plying only eight of the 21 ferries with under-load on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route due to poor navigability. As a result, more than 500 vehicles, mostly goods-laden trucks, were stranded on both sides of the Shimulia terminal. Many rivers of the country are losing their navigability and even some of them are facing threat to their existence due to continuous siltation and grabbing. Through dredging, navigability of a river can be restored. But it is unfortunate to note that crores of taka had been allegedly misused in such river dredging activities. In the past, the river dredging work was started with much fanfare only to be suspended on various pretexts. Proper monitoring, supervision, accountability and transparency of the works to be done are now needed. Eid-ul-Azha is approaching. Millions of people hailing from different districts of the country who are engaged in different income-generating activities in the capital city and other cities and towns will go to their respective birth places to celebrate the Eid. But the journey home is not always safe, smooth and hassle-free. It has become a tendency of some owners of buses, launches and other vehicles to press their unfit vehicles into service during the Eid festivals. The rickety water vessels are getting the touch of refurbishment and painting work. It is generally seen that the members of the law enforcement agencies and others concerned are not that much cautious and vigilant after the Eid which they maintained before Eid. This is not expected. Overloading and rash driving of vehicles also lead to accidents causing deaths and injuries. What is needed is strict and regular vigilance by the members of the law enforcing agencies so that unfit buses and launches are not pressed into service before and after the Eid. Action should be taken against the owners of such vehicles and water vessels. Awareness should be generated among the people so that they refrain from boarding such vehicles.