Unfit water vessels ply in Patuakhali coastal area

Over 100 unfit vessels are running in different chars of Kalapara, Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas of Patuakhali. Unscrupulous businessmen and influential people are operating the small motorised vessels in the rivers, ignoring the hazards involved.

In the absence of any alternative modes of transport, people of the coastal region have to depend of these illegal vessels but the administration has not taken any steps to stop the practice.

It is learnt that the unfit small vessels, which have no permits, are being used on the turbulent Ramnabad, Agamukhukha, Degree, Tetulia, Buraguranga, Ramnabad and Andharmanik Rivers near the Bay of Bengal. They daily ply with an overload of passengers in the Kalapara, Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas under the Patuakhali district. Locals say they fear a major accident can occur any day.

It was found that there were no boats with fitness papers operating from Kalapara to Gaiapara, Felabunia, Moudubi, Taktabunia, Galachipa to Charmontaz, Chalitabunia to Koralia, Charmontaj to Ulania, and Charkazol to Bodnatoli.

In the absence of road connectivity among the islands of the district, thousands of people depended on the waterways. No one knows when a safe launch service would be introduced, replacing the illegal vessels.

Rafikul Islam, a businessman of Charmontaz Sluice Bazar of Rangabali upazila, said that the Charmonataj Union was separated from the district and upazila by a river. The illegal vessels were the only means of transport for the local people. Only one BIWTA launch plies on this route. So, people are forced to move in small engine-driven vessels as well.

Kabir Mollah, another businessman of the area, said that the vessel owners were responsible for operating overloaded trawlers. They were doing so simply to earn extra profits.

Rangabali Upazila Parishad chairman Delwar Hossain said, “I am aware of the matter. Accidents might occur if passengers move by the small vessels in the turbulent rivers.”

Repeated efforts to contact Patuakhali BIWTA officer Khwaja Sadiqur Rahman to get his views went in vain.

 

Unfit water vessels ply in Patuakhali coastal area

Over 100 unfit vessels are running in different chars of Kalapara, Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas of Patuakhali. Unscrupulous businessmen and influential people are operating the small motorised vessels in the rivers, ignoring the hazards involved. In the absence of any alternative modes of transport, people of the coastal region have to depend of these illegal vessels but the administration has not taken any steps to stop the practice. It is learnt that the unfit small vessels, which have no permits, are being used on the turbulent Ramnabad, Agamukhukha, Degree, Tetulia, Buraguranga, Ramnabad and Andharmanik Rivers near the Bay of Bengal. They daily ply with an overload of passengers in the Kalapara, Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas under the Patuakhali district. Locals say they fear a major accident can occur any day. It was found that there were no boats with fitness papers operating from Kalapara to Gaiapara, Felabunia, Moudubi, Taktabunia, Galachipa to Charmontaz, Chalitabunia to Koralia, Charmontaj to Ulania, and Charkazol to Bodnatoli. In the absence of road connectivity among the islands of the district, thousands of people depended on the waterways. No one knows when a safe launch service would be introduced, replacing the illegal vessels. Rafikul Islam, a businessman of Charmontaz Sluice Bazar of Rangabali upazila, said that the Charmonataj Union was separated from the district and upazila by a river. The illegal vessels were the only means of transport for the local people. Only one BIWTA launch plies on this route. So, people are forced to move in small engine-driven vessels as well. Kabir Mollah, another businessman of the area, said that the vessel owners were responsible for operating overloaded trawlers. They were doing so simply to earn extra profits. Rangabali Upazila Parishad chairman Delwar Hossain said, I am aware of the matter. Accidents might occur if passengers move by the small vessels in the turbulent rivers. Repeated efforts to contact Patuakhali BIWTA officer Khwaja Sadiqur Rahman to get his views went in vain.