Recent accidents on Dhaka-Barisal river route have made the passengers, vessel owners as well as masters a bit nervous,fearing that the rush of Eid holidaymakers might increase the possibility of such incidents.

The route from Barisal to Dhaka has become risky nowadays as newly created islands and sedimentflowing with water have made the river narrow in Charbaria point of Barisal Sadar. On the other hand, the number as well as rampant movement of oil tankers and cargovessels has also increased on the route, said launch masters.

Meanwhile, a launch owner, seeking anonymity, told The Daily Star thatsome of the masters managed their certificates from the authorities concerneddespite lacking required qualifications and skills to drive vessels. Therefore, they fail to manage to cope with the heavy current at the point, he said.

On June 13 night, MV Tashrif-1 rammed into an oil tanker at Charbaria point on its way to Dhaka, leaving 12 people injured, said the naval police of Barisal.

According to some passengers, the search light of Tashrif-1 was not working properly that night, but still it continued sailing, which resulted in the accident.

On April 23, waterbus MV Green Line collided head-on with a stone-laden cargo vessel at the point; as a result the cargo vessel sank in the river.

The submerged cargo vessel has not been salvaged yet, said Md Ruhul Amin, master driver of launch Sundarbon-10.

This is also creating difficulties for normal vessel movement at the point because it is already risky for having heavy currents and a 40 degree arch, he said.

SPECIAL SERVICE

Special services for Eid-ul-Fitr were launched on June 22 for thousands of holidaymakers of the southern districts. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has taken various measures to ensure safe journey for passengers, said Md Nazmul Huda, deputy director (route) of BIWTA, Barisal.

Movement of cargo vessels, oil tankers and other goods-laden vessels, which are allowed to sail only at night, has been totally suspended from three days before the festival,although such vessels were seen moving during the daytime even a day ago.

A cargo vessel was seized as it was plying yesterday afternoon violating the special order, Nazmul said, adding the suspension would remain in force till the third day of Eid.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation for the sunkencargo vessel is underway, and a team of BIWTA is always present to facilitate easy movement of the vessels, he added.

NEW LUXURY VESSEL

Tahsin ShippingLines yesterday launched a luxury and speedy launch, MV Deshantar, on Dhaka-Barisal route on the occasion of Eid, said HM Nurul Hayder Prince,owner of the company.

The vessel can accommodate 675 passengers and travel the distance from Dhaka to Barisal in five hours.