Accidents in rivers and remedial actions

The capsize of the Munshiganj-bound launch MV Ashraf Uddin hit by a cargo ship named MV Ruposhi-9 in the Shitalakshya River in Narayanganj that killed at least eight passengers is undoubtedly pathetic. Of course, this is not the only accident in the rivers. Last year, a small-sized passenger-carrying launch was directly hit and capsized by a bigger launch in the same river. Moreover, many other accidents of launches, boats and ferries occur in the rivers of Bangladesh. But, undeniably, such accidents indicate not only the inactiveness of concerned authorities especially the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) but also the irresponsible activities of the transport owners and drivers.

Of course, to reduce accidents in the river, different remedial measures need to be taken. But some measures such as securing punishment of those who are responsible for accidents, implementation of recommendations made by the investigative team and increased activeness of the concerned authority are very important. But are efforts made to prevent accidents in the rivers of Bangladesh enough? As is well known, a case is usually filed after each accident. But there are rare examples of punishments against those who are responsible for accidents. Consequently, owners, masters (drivers) and supervisors, who are able to escape through the loopholes of legal provisions, do not feel that they need to be more cautious and should abide by safety rules.

Moreover, recommendations are made after each accident based on the identified causes of accidents. Notably, recommendations are made by experts. Even though the recommendations of one accident are less likely to help address all causes of other accidents, addressing causes based on recommendations can enormously help improve conditions that can in turn help reduce accidents in the rivers. But the undeniable fact is that recommendations are not implemented many times. According to the available sources especially newspapers, there are limited or no notable outcomes of investigations and recommendations provided by the investigative committee on last year’s similar accident have not been implemented. Consequently, various causes of accidents are not addressed, thus, leaving a similar chance of accidents in the future.

There is, moreover, a lack of activeness of the concerned authority such as the BIWTA, a government body that is responsible for the regulation of water transportation in Bangladesh, in improving conditions of water transportation. Indeed, many unfit water transports run in the country, many water transports do not maintain safety rules and do not keep life jackets and other life saving appliances, there is an absence of qualified crews, there is a fault in the design and construction and there are practices of overloading passengers in the launches but there is almost no effective action. But there is a lack of monitoring and supervision, weaknesses in inspection procedures and negligence in duty on the part of the controlling authority.

Of course, accidents of launch, boat, ferry and other water transports cannot be prevented all in all. This is because accidents can happen even if all the causes of accidents are addressed. But the reduction of the causes of accidents is very important for the improvement of the water transportation conditions that can reduce the chance of further accidents and minimize casualties. In this respect, there is no alternative to providing the deserving punishment, implementation of recommendations and more activeness of the concerned authority.