Home ›› 14 Aug 2021 ›› Front
The government is considering changes in ferry operations after four ferries hit the pillars of Padma Bridge in just 25 days to avert any such disaster in the future.
The proposed changes include relocating the Banglabazar ferry terminal to Majhirkandi ghat of Zajira in Shariatpur, among others.
“The countrymen are being hurt emotionally by ferries hitting the Padma Bridge, which is very embarrassing. Primarily, we are thinking of relocating the ferry ghat,” State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said.
“However, a study needs to be conducted in this regard before taking any step,” he added.
His comments come after Ferry Kakoli collided with the 10th pillar of the bridge at around 7:15am on Friday.
The state minister also said that the government was more worried about public safety than any damage to the bridge’s structural integrity.
“There is no possibility of damage to the bridge from these collisions. Rather, we are worried that the ferries will get damaged, which can also result in loss of lives,” he added.
“Instructions which were given to water vessels for avoiding collisions with the Padma Bridge are being ignored,” said the state minister, adding that action will be taken in this regard.
Following repeated collisions, a probe body of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) mentioned several reasons behind ferries repeatedly smashing into the mega-structure.
“Lack of skill of the ferry operator, absence of signal lights and fitness issues of ferries are the main reasons behind these collisions. We have pointed out these in the report,” said SM Ashiquzzaman, head of the BIWTC investigation team formed over the incidents.
“Apart from that, these ferries pass under the bridge through the main channel from June this year, which has higher tide than the route used before,” he added. “No collision will take place from mid-September because the tide becomes weaker that time,” added Ashiquzzaman, also a general manager of BIWTC.
Although he did not brush aside the possibility of subversive activities, the BIWTC official said, “Law enforcement agencies will look into the issue.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Shipping has blamed the failure of ferry operators in following the ministry’s guidelines for the repeated collisions.
“It does not matter whether there is tide or not if ferry operators had followed our guidelines and instruction. There is no chance of hitting the Padma Bridge because when a ferry enters the main channel, it gets two kilometres of waterway before passing the bridge,” Shipping Secretary Mezbah Uddin told The Business Post.
“Our investigation committee is working to find out the main reasons for these collisions,” he added.
The first incident was recorded on July 20 when the Ro-Ro ferry Shah Makhdum hit the 16th pillar of Padma Bridge. Just three days later, Ro-Ro ferry Shahjalal sustained damage after hitting the 17th pillar on July 23. On August 9, Ro-Ro ferry Birshrestho Jahangir collided with the 10th pillar.
All of these ferries were heading towards Shimulia point when the collisions occurred.
