If the litany of accidents on our rivers is to be ended, the minister and officials involved should take responsibility
With many bodies still unfound, there has been little or no public accountability for the Pinak 6 tragedy.
Even though promises were made before Eid, that monitoring of waterway safety would be a high priority, it is clear gross negligence played a large part in the sinking of this vessel over Eid.
Reports indicate its operators had only been given temporary permission to operate, on condition the launch was only allowed to carry a maximum of 85 passengers.
Yet, when it capsized, it was carrying well over 200 passengers
Official sources have claimed that officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority did not properly discharge their duty to coordinate the checking of vessels. The BITWA chief meanwhile has claimed that blame cannot be attached to officials because the accident was a ‘’natural disaster.’’
Such finger pointing and passing of the buck does nothing to re-assure the public or console the families of victims.
As the Met Office had issued a cautionary signal 3 for the Padma River when the Pinak 6 capsized, it is apparent the vessel was breaching rules barring launches smaller than 24 metres in length, from travel in such conditions.
While one case has now been filed against the launch owner, past experience of investigations into launch accidents gives little confidence that officials and launch owners will be fully held to account.
This must change. The public needs proper accountability if the litany of accidents on our rivers is to be ended. The minister and officials involved should take responsibility for this tragedy.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
