State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday expressed concerns about the safety of bulkheads, likening them to locally-made three-wheelers that are notorious for causing accidents on roads.
He said this while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat about the ferry that capsized on the Daulatdia-Paturia route in the middle of the Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj early Wednesday.
"Initially, I was informed that the ferry was moored very close to the shore, and a bulkhead hit it," said the state minister.
However, he said that the actual reason behind the capsize cannot be determined without the investigation report.
Khalid said: "The secretary is visiting the scene. He is taking action from there. I have spoken with him. He will take the decisions that need to be taken on the spot.”
Addressing the need for bulkheads in the transport of goods, the minister mentioned that they have informed the Directorate General of Shipping to explore whether it can be modernized and certified. The Department of Shipping is working on it, and they may be able to bring meaningful changes in a few days.
Referring to the implementation of previous investigation reports, the state minister said: "After my arrival, the report of every investigation committee has been submitted, and action has been taken."
"The Naval police should be strengthened, and they need to add a lot of equipment to make the waterway safe," he added.
He also highlighted irregularities in the purchase of fog lights, leading to the filing of a case.
The ferry “Rajanigandha” with pick-up trucks and covered vans sank in the middle of the Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj early Wednesday.
Rescue work underway as BIWTA's salvage ship Hamza and Rustam joined the operation.
The ferry left for Paturia from Daulatdia around 1am with seven small trucks and two big trucks. It approached Paturia and anchored there due to thick fog when the accident took place.