Minimise waterway accidents

It is worrying to note that disregard for the guidelines of the Department of Shipping (DoS) by vessel owners and masters and lack of action against perpetrators are seen as the main contributing factors to water vessel accidents in waterways across the country. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, at least 72 launch accidents have taken place in the last five years, which resulted in the deaths of at least 242 people across the country. While dozens of probe committees have so far been formed over accidents in the last 10 years—no visible action was seen against perpetrators involved in launch or other water vessel accidents in waterways, giving a sense of impunity.

Hundreds of people have lost their lives in water vessel accidents in different rivers of the country during the past few years. Hardly a year passes without a number of launch disasters. Faulty and ramshackle water vessels, operation by unskilled drivers, overloading of vessels, defiance of rules set by the relevant authorities and lack of alertness are the prime reasons for the recurrent water vessel accidents.

Greedy owners of river vessels, particularly launches, ‘manage’ fitness certificates for their vessels from a section of dishonest officials of the department concerned in exchange for bribes and press those into service and make hefty profits. They hardly care about the safety and security of the passengers. The hapless passengers bear the brunt of the whims and caprices of the owners and the drivers of the water vessels. How long will the deaths in the river ways will continue? After each accident a probe committee is formed. The families of the dead get some compensation. That’s all. There should be a permanent remedy for this. There are laws but application of the same is hardly noticeable.

Owners of unfit vessels should be brought under justice. Movement of river vessels should be streamlined to minimize accidents. Many rivers of the country have lost their navigability. Vessels moving at night get stuck in hidden shoals and shallow waters, resulting in accidents and casualties. Dredging of those rivers should be undertaken for uninterrupted plying of vessels. The government must take effective measures in this regard.                                   

Minimise waterway accidents

It is worrying to note that disregard for the guidelines of the Department of Shipping (DoS) by vessel owners and masters and lack of action against perpetrators are seen as the main contributing factors to water vessel accidents in waterways across the country. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, at least 72 launch accidents have taken place in the last five years, which resulted in the deaths of at least 242 people across the country. While dozens of probe committees have so far been formed over accidents in the last 10 yearsno visible action was seen against perpetrators involved in launch or other water vessel accidents in waterways, giving a sense of impunity. Hundreds of people have lost their lives in water vessel accidents in different rivers of the country during the past few years. Hardly a year passes without a number of launch disasters. Faulty and ramshackle water vessels, operation by unskilled drivers, overloading of vessels, defiance of rules set by the relevant authorities and lack of alertness are the prime reasons for the recurrent water vessel accidents. Greedy owners of river vessels, particularly launches, manage fitness certificates for their vessels from a section of dishonest officials of the department concerned in exchange for bribes and press those into service and make hefty profits. They hardly care about the safety and security of the passengers. The hapless passengers bear the brunt of the whims and caprices of the owners and the drivers of the water vessels. How long will the deaths in the river ways will continue? After each accident a probe committee is formed. The families of the dead get some compensation. Thats all. There should be a permanent remedy for this. There are laws but application of the same is hardly noticeable. Owners of unfit vessels should be brought under justice. Movement of river vessels should be streamlined to minimize accidents. Many rivers of the country have lost their navigability. Vessels moving at night get stuck in hidden shoals and shallow waters, resulting in accidents and casualties. Dredging of those rivers should be undertaken for uninterrupted plying of vessels. The government must take effective measures in this regard.