State Minister for Shipping
DCs’ stronger role needed for protecting rivers: State Minister
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the deputy commissioners have been asked to strengthen measures for protecting rivers from pollution, encroachment and restoring navigability.
“The DCs have an important role in maintaining navigability of rivers and free those from illegal occupation and pollution as the deputy commissioners are the chief the of district committee dealing with river protection,” he said.
Read:BIWTA to buy over 42 dredgers to protect rivers: Khalid
The state minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after the end of the 2nd session on the 3rd day of the DCs Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
“Rivers are losing navigability due to illegal sand lifting from the riverbed, which creates obstructions on river routes. The DCs have been asked to strongly monitor it,” he said.
Besides, the DC’s were asked to strengthen their surveillance to check illegal activities in land ports in the country, said Khalid.
Read:Spain to invest in shipbuilding sector: Shipping minister
However, the DCs have made some proposals to develop the river ports in Hatiya and Bhola and make those passengers-friendly, he said adding “Already we have taken steps in this regard.”
Replying to a question about river accidents, the Minister said, “Many major accidents have occurred on river routes recently and some irregularities are there in this sector but it is not possible to change the sector in a day.”
Jhalakathi launch fire: Probe body submits report
The probe committee formed by the Shipping Ministry has submitted its report on the last month’s deadly launch fire on the Sugandha River.
The probe committee submitted the report on Monday night, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
“The report was submitted to the Shipping Secretary but he’s sick with Covid-19 infections. Now, I’ll go through the report. I’ll be able to say in detail once go through it,” said Khalid Mahmud.
“As far as I know the negligence of owners, workers, and drivers of MV Avijan-10 launch was detected in the report. There were problems in the dockyard, too,” he added.
Read: Jhalokathi civil surgeon made OSD over launch fire: Health Ministry
The state minister said the engine had an issue for which the dockyard authorities are responsible. “Therefore, they’ll also be made accountable for the accident,” he added.
Action will be taken against the owners and others who are responsible, warned Khalid Mahmud.
Earlier on December 30, the probe committee was granted three additional days to complete its investigation.
On December 24, the Shipping Ministry formed the seven-member probe committee, asking it to submit its report within three working days. But the deadline was missed.
The confirmed death toll from the deadly fire on MV Avijan-10 rose to 49 on Monday.
On Sunday, Dhaka Marine Court issued an order to send two drivers of the launch to jail in a case over the fire.
They are the 8th accused in the case Abul Kalam (in-charge driver) and the 7th accused Masum Billah (2nd driver).
On December 28, the same court sent the two masters of the launch -- Riaz Sikder (master-in-charge) and the 6th accused Khalilur Rahman (2nd master) to jail when they surrendered before it.
Advocate Billal Hossain, prosecuting officer of the Department of Shipping, said the overall responsibility of the engine room rests with the engine drivers. Not only did they neglect their responsibilities, their role in the aftermath of the fire was presumptuous.
Read:Jhalakathi launch fire: Death toll rise to 49
The fire was initially reported to have started from the engine room, he said.
If they had managed the engine room properly with perfect supervision, perhaps this horrible tragedy could have been averted, Adv Billal added.
On December 26, the chief inspector of the Department of Shipping Shafiqur Rahman filed a case against eight people, including four owners of the launch, under the Marine Act with the Marine Court. The court took cognizance of the case and issued warrants for the arrest of the accused.
The blaze broke out around 3am on December 24 on the Barguna-bound launch carrying some 800 passengers from Dhaka and it engulfed the entire vessel within 10 minutes.
Tunnel under Jamuna: Feasibility study underway
A survey is underway to assess the feasibility of building a tunnel alongside Bangabandhu Bridge as an alternative passage under the Jamuna River, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
Talking to reporters at the secretariat on Wednesday during an event organized by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), he said an alternative passage along the Bangabandhu Bridge is needed.
“A feasibility study is underway. If its results are found to be positive, then the country's second tunnel after the Karnaphuli one will be built there,” he said.
Read Karnaphuli Tunnel Project makes "breakthrough" amid Covid-19
About the encroached lands along the river banks, he said, “We want to give some time to the industrial establishments on the river banks as they’ve made huge investments there. Government lands have been demarcated while notices have been issued to the encroachers in this regard.”
To secure 10,000 kilometers of waterways, illegal establishments have been removed from nearby rivers, the state minister said, adding that 3,000 kilometers of waterways have already been secured.
Ferries plying around Padma Bridge to get outer rubber layer
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said the ferries that ply the Shumulia-Banglabazar Ferry Ghat route will install an outer layer of rubber for the security of the Padma Bridge.
The layer of rubber will act to cushion the blow from the vessels' bodies on the concrete pillars.
“An order has been issued to install outer rubber layers on ferries,” he said after visiting Shimulia Ferry Ghat in Munshiganj.
The state minister said they feel embarrassed at the alarming frequency with which vessels have been hitting the pillars of the Padma Bridge.
“Steps have been taken in this regard. There were some instructions. But we noticed laxity to some extent in following the instructions,” he said adding that they would sit in a high-level meeting soon to decide the next steps to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
Read: 20 hurt as ferry hits Padma bridge pillar
State Minister for Shipping infected with corona
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, the state minister for shipping, has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Zero tolerance against unfit river vessels: Khalid Mahmud
The government will strengthen its monitoring over unfit river vessels to put an end to accidents on waterways, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
Kamal Ahmed suggests handing over Dhaka canals to DSCC, DNCC
State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder on Sunday suggested digging canals in Dhaka city alongside constructing walkways, green fences on both sides and handing them over to the two city corporations through a memorandum of understanding.
Not mass transport, goods vehicle to remain suspended for 9 days during Eid: Khalid
The government has announced that vehicles carrying goods will remain suspended for nine days before and after Eid-ul-Azha but mass transport will be available during this period.
It's a murder: State Minister
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said investigation will be launched to identify whether there is any negligence on the part of the launch owners.
DUJ launches ambulance service for its members
The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) on Saturday launched round-the-clock ambulance service for its members amid the coronavirus pandemic.