BIWTA
Shitalakkhya launch capsize: BIWTA files 2 cases accusing eight
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) filed two separate cases against eight staffers of the cargo vessel that hit a launch in the Shitalakkhya River in Narayanganj leaving at least eight people dead.
BIWTA Deputy Director (Naval Safety) Babu Lal Vaidya filed the two cases at Bandar police station in Narayanganj and naval court on Monday, said Masud Kamal, Joint Director of BIWTA Narayanganj river port.
Detained master-driver, greaser engineer, and six other staffers of the cargo vessel were shown arrested in the case filed with police, said Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-Charge of Narayanganj sadar naval police station.
They have been produced before court seeking a seven day remand for interrogation, said the OC.
Meanwhile, BIWTA has announced an indefinite suspension of launch movement on Narayanganj-Chandpur and Munshiganj from Monday.
READ: Shitalakkhya launch capsize: Death toll rises to 8
“Lack of skill among launch drivers, carelessness, small sizes of vessels are some of the many reasons for suspension of launch movements on this route, “ said Masud Kamal, Joint Director of BIWTA Narayanganj river port.
Death toll from the accident rose to eight on Monday after recovering two more bodies from the river.
The body of a 40-year-old man was retrieved from the river in the morning, said deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarter Mohamamd Shahjahan Shikdar.
Besides, the body of a 45-year-old woman identified as Umme Khairun Fatema, headmistress of Harial Government Primary School in Sonargaon, was recovered from the river in the morning.
Four passengers of the launch are still missing, he said.
The missing are Abdullah Al Jaber Adnan,35, from Dhaka’s Demra area, Moslem Uddin hatem,55, from Munshiganj, Arohi and Jobayer Hossain.
Earlier, rescue vessel ‘Pratyay’ of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) retrieved sunken launch ‘MV Afsar Uddin’ from the Sitalakkhya River around 5:30am.
However, no body was found inside the launch, said the fire service officials.
On Sunday, Munshiganj-bound launch ML Asraf Uddin, carrying around 50-60 passengers, capsized in the river as cargo vessel MV Rupshi-9 hit it around 2:30 pm, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters.Some 15-20 passengers managed to swim ashore.
At least six bodies, including two children, were recovered on the day.
The deceased were identified as Joynal Bhuiyan, aged about 50, Arifa Begum, 35, her 15-months old son Shafayet Hossain, Fatema, 7, Smrity Rani Barman, 19, Salma, 33.
The naval police seized MV Ruposhi-9, a cargo ship owned by City Group. The cargo anchored at ‘Hossain The Dockyard’ in Munshiganj shortly after the accident and detained nine staffs in it.
BIWTA suspends operation of Surovi-9, lodges complaint against manager-staff
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Sunday suspended the operations of MV Surovi-9 over allegations of a technical glitch after a fire broke out on it Saturday night while carrying 300 passengers.
Meanwhile, Barishal River Port officer Mostafizur Rahman lodged a complaint against the launch manager Mizan and other staff of the launch over the incident and for attacking the journalists.
Mostafizur Rahman, the operation of the launch on Dhaka-Barishal-Dhaka route, will remain suspended until further notice. “The decision was taken followed by the chaotic situation created over the technical glitch and attack on journalists,” he said.
Also read: Fire breaks out in Barishal-bound launch; Doused quickly
Earlier two camerapersons lodged separate complaints against the manager over the incident of attack.
According to camerapersons of Independent Television and two other private channels they were attacked around 11pm while recording video footage of the launch as it was brought to Barishal.
No damages or casualties were reported in the fire that originated in the engine room of MV Survi-9 launch as it was extinguished before it could spread.
Kaiser Alam, BIWTA's Chandpur port officer said, passengers were sent to Barishal by another launch considering the security issue and MV Survi-9 has been docked at Mohanpur ghat.
Also read: Jhalakathi launch fire: Probe body submits report
On December 24, a deadly fire broke out in Barguna-bound launch MV Abhijan-10 carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka and it engulfed the entire vessel within 10 minutes.
The death toll from the fire accident reached 49 till January 3. Besides, over 70 people suffered injuries, and many of them are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
39 killed as fire rips through launch off Jhalokati coast
At least 39 people were charred to death and 72 others injured in a massive fire that ripped through a launch carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka to Barguna in the early hours of Friday.
The blaze, in fact, began on Avijan-10 in the midstream of the Sugandha River off the coast of Jhalokati district's Sadar upazila, 250kms south of Dhaka, around 3am. Within five to 10 minutes, the flames engulfed the vessel.
"We were alerted around 3.30am," Fazlul Haque of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Barishal, told UNB. However, the first firefighting vessels took some time to reach the ill-fated launch due to dense fog in the area.
Also read: 3 dead, 44 injured in India refinery fire
“Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered and 72 people rescued from the ill-fated launch," Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Jhalokathi Moinul Haque told UNB.
Of the 37 bodies, four were identified and the remaining 33 bodies were sent to Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital Morgue, said the ASP.
Of the 72 injured, 66 have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal with serious burns. The others are being treated at Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital.
"Of the 66, with up to 50% burns, 18 are women," said Dr Moniruzzaman, assistant director at the SBMCH. "Three women and four men with life-threatening burns have been referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as we've no dedicated burn unit."
UNB Barishal Correspondent reports that two of the injured succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
HC seeks list of all the rivers and illegal occupiers from government
The High Court on Sunday directed the government authorities to submit a proper list of the country's rivers and division-wise list of illegal occupiers.
The court asked the finance secretary, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Water Development Board (WDB) and all the district commissioners to submit the lists within six months.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Mia and Md Kamrul Hossain Molla passed the order during a hearing on a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).
Lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan represented BElA at the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Nowroz Md Rasel Chowdhury appeared for the state.
Read: 20-year masterplan to revive Dhaka's rivers in the works
Syeda Rizwana said there is an inconsistency regarding the number of rivers in Bangladesh.
“Even after the court passed many directions the river areas are determined wrongly which actually facilitates the illegal grabbing. At some places the action to evict occupiers is going on but not in all," she said.
According to the petition, WDB data says there are 405 rivers in Bangladesh while National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) mentions 707 and a private research says 1,182.
As the number of rivers remained undetermined, so did the number of illegal occupiers, it said.
NRCC data shows there are 57, 390 listed illegal occupiers while reports in national dailies exceed it.
Read: 60 illegal establishments evicted from Kirtankhola river banks
Recently the state minister for the shipping ministry told the Parliament there are 65, 127 river occupiers in the country.
BELA filed the writ in view of the discrepancy, Rizwana said.
BIWTA extends time for launch ops
Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has extended the time for launch operations on Shimulia-Banglabazar and Majhirkandi routes by an hour and a half.
From Thursday, ferries can operate from 6am to 8pm daily on the two busy routes, according to an order issued Wednesday.
Read: Launch services resume in Keraniganj
Assistant director of BIWTA, Shahadat Hossain, said that the general public will benefit from the extended timings. Some 87 launches are currently operating on the two routes.
Launch operations will, however, remain suspended after 8pm, as per the order, signed by BIWTA director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.
However, speedboats on the two routes will continue to operate from 6am till 5.40pm only.
BIWTA capable of salvaging MV Shah Amanat: Chairman
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is capable of salvaging the Ro-Ro ferry, the Shah Amanat, and if needed the ferry will be rescued using private salvage vessel, said its Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq on Friday.
"Vehicles that are still submerged in the water need to be salvaged first," he said.
BIWTA chairman made this remark while inspecting the salvage operation on the 3rd day at the Paturia Ferry Terminal.
Also read: Paturia ferry accident: Rustom to join rescue ops; one more van retrieved
"Besides BIWTA salvage vessel Hamza, another vassel 'Rustam', instead of 'Prattoy', is being brought from Shimulia and it will reach Paturia by Friday evening," said the BIWTA chairman.
He also said only four trucks are yet to be salvaged. "I hope the vehicles will be salvaged by tomorrow."
Also read: Ferry capsizes at Paturia dock
Earlier on Wednesday morning, the MV Shah Amanat capsized near Paturia's fifth ferry terminal while preparing to dock. It was carrying 14 goods-laden trucks and four motorcycles at the time.
On the following day, the Shipping Ministry and Manikganj Deputy Commissioner formed two separate committees to investigate the incident.
Boat race in Buriganga marks Hasina's birthday
A boat race was held in the Buriganga river on Tuesday, marking the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel inaugurated the boat race -- Nouka Baich, organised by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) -- at Barishur Launchghat in Keraniganj on Tuesday afternoon.
Read:Hasina's 'haseen' birthday gift: Over 66 lakh inoculations in single day
A cultural function and a laser show were also held along the riverbank.
Eleven teams participated in the boat race from Kamrangirchar Dhora ghat to Jamal School Ghat.
Sheikh Bari Sheikh Russel bagged the first prize in the 60-person boat event while Barishal Boating Club secured the first position in 12-person boat event.
Addressing the participants, Zahid Ahsan Russel said, “We should be aware of river pollution and river grabbing and we are thinking about how can the boat race can be expanded across the country for saving rivers.”
The 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was observed across the country on Tuesday.
Read:Sultan Festival ends with boat race in Narail
Hasina, the eldest among the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj on September 28, 1947.
The ruling Awami League and its affiliated organisations celebrated the day through various programmes, highlighting her life and achievements.
Different programmes, including discussions, doa and milad-mahfil, special prayers and photo exhibitions were organised across the country.
Authority places lighted buoy to protect Padma Bridge from ferries
A floating lighted buoy has been placed Sunday at three kilometers south to the span number 12 and 13 of the Padma bridge to help ferries avoid colliding with the piers while passing under it.
The decision to place the buoy was taken in a meeting of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport and Communication (BIWTC), Bangladesh Armed Forces, and the bridge authority to determine procedures to protect the bridge piers from collision with ferries on Shimulia-Banglabazar route.
As ferries plying from Bangla Bazar to Shimulia have to face a strong current immediately after passing the Hajra channel just 1.3 km away from the bridge it becomes difficult for the navigators to control the turn that led to consecutive incidents of collisions in the area in last few days, according to the authorities.
Also read: Ferries plying around Padma Bridge to get outer rubber layer
Now the ferries will target the buoy after passing Hajra channel and will be able to adjust the heading control with the current before reaching near the bridge, they said.
Already ferries started moving targeting the buoy and the authority plans to place a spherical buoy later after conducting a hydrographic survey on Monday.
Meanwhile for navigation on Banglabazar-Shimulia route ferries were suggested to move through the span 11,12,13 and 14 area.
Also read: Ferry with heavy vehicles banned from plying under Padma bridge: Khalid
As the vessels moving on Shimulia-Banglabazar route will move against the current and less likely to lose control, authorities suggested they use span 6,7 and the adjoining two spans according to the situation.
BIWTA calls on passengers to avoid Shimulia terminal
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Friday requested passengers to use Paturia ferry terminal, instead of Shimulia, to cross the mighty Padma River.
BIWTC authorities claimed that ferry crisis on Shimulia-Banglabazar route is the reason for shifting the vehicles to the Paturia-Daulatdia route.
Read: Eid-ul-Azha: People crowding Shimulia ferry terminal to go home
The timing comes in the wake of several river commuters having a narrow escape after a ferry crashed into a pier of the Padma Bridge on Friday morning.
The accident occurred when the K-type ferry, named Kakoli, was heading towards Shimlulia ghat in Munshiganj district from Banglabazar ghat in Madaripur.
"Around 7am, the ferry hit pier number 10 shedding a portion of concrete of the pile cap," executive engineer (main bridge) Dewan Abdul Kader told UNB.
Though the vessel was partially damaged, there has been no structural damage to the bridge. "But frequent ferry accidents are really concerning," Dewan said.
A pier is a structure that extends into the water to support the bridge superstructure and transfer the loads to the foundation.
Mawa naval police IC JM Shirajul Kabir said the navigator of the ferry lost control of the vessel due to strong river current, leading to the crash.
In the past two months, at least five such accidents have taken place in the district, alarming the government.
Read: People rush to return home ahead of shutdown; Shimulia ghat under pressure
Earlier on the day , Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader hinted that any one of Shimulia or Banglabazar ferry terminals might be shifted elsewhere to reduce the chance of such ‘accidents.
Vessels to move till 12 pm Sunday to carry factory workers
River vessels will be allowed to operate from Saturday evening to Sunday 12 pm to carry factory workers, said the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Saturday.
To carry the workers of RMG and export-oriented factories, the government has allowed the vessel movement, said a media release issued by the BIWTA in the evening.
The BIWTA requested vessel owners, masters, drivers, staff and passengers to follow health guidelines during the period.
Read: No decision yet on lockdown extension: Farhad
Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka on the 9th day of the lockdown on Saturday following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1).
Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts who were coming back to the capital to join their work.
The vessel movement was suspended from July 23, 6 am as the government reimposed a countrywide ‘stricter’ lockdown till August 5, midnight as per a Cabinet Division’s order.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the BIWTA, however, allowed vessels to carry passengers at half of their capacities on condition of maintaining health guidelines from July 14 midnight to 6am on July 23.
A record rise in the number of Covid cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to enforce a nationwide stringent lockdown suspending all outdoor activities unless there is any emergency.