Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said the government has taken up various steps including formation of “marine police” to curb accidents on the river route across the country, reports BSS from Barisal.
“In 2004, the country witnessed 31 launch accidents, but during the tenure of the present government since 2009, only 16 launch accidents took place across the country,” Khan said after visiting the modern river port in Barisal city in the afternoon.
Besides, he said, officials alongside the river police, who have already been deployed for the security of river vessels, would oversee different river routes to ensure hassle-free journey of homebound passengers ahead of Eid.
Meanwhile, the government has already formed “marine police” to avert launch accidents on the river routes, said the shipping minister, adding that “steps have been taken to modernize the “marine police” with the shortest possible time”.
Officials and employees of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), Barisal District Awami League Secretary and lawmaker of Barisal-2 constituency Advocate Talukder M Younus, vice-president of Central Launch Owners Association and Sadar upazila Chairman Saidur Rahman Rintu were with the minister, among others, during the visit.