Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said accidents on waterways are declining in the country because of changes in vessel designs, implementation of necessary measures and stronger monitoring.

“We used to see major accidents during holidays every year. Now such accidents have decreased. But I would not say these have totally gone,” he said while addressing the inauguration of the River Security Week 2021.

He virtually joined the inaugural function, held at the conference room of the Shipping Ministry, as the chief guest. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was present as the special guest.

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Asaduzzaman said the main reasons behind the fall in waterway accidents are the changes in vessel designs and stronger monitoring in addition to other necessary measures.

He mentioned that the importance of the shipping sector in the graduation of a riverine and coastal country like Bangladesh from a least developed country to a developing one is immense, and put emphasis on consolidation of this achievement.

The minister said one of the major responsibilities of the Shipping Department is to develop an accident-free shipping system. “The department has taken a number of effective measures for the safety of public life and property.”

An online digital database containing vessel survey data, registration reports and all the information related to vessels and sailors in the inland sector of Bangladesh is being maintained, he said.