In the wake of the recent ferry “Rajanigandha” that capsized in the middle of Padma River in Paturia of Manikganj district early Wednesday, the sorrowful reality of a lack of oversight and accountability has once again come to the forefront. The incident unveils a distressing narrative of negligence and irresponsibility, a theme that unfortunately continues to be all-too-common.
It is the same old story again. Yes, there is now a committee formed by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and has been asked to investigate the cause of the accident, determine the financial damages, and provide recommendations and opinions in this regard.
While this is indeed important and crucial, what really needs to be addressed is the culture of negligence and disregard that we simply cannot shake off.
It is also disheartening to see the contradictory reports that have come out in the wake of this disaster, with one party claiming the accident occurred when the ferry collided with the bulkhead while those who survived the incident say that the ferry sank due to water entering through a hole.
Ultimately, what cannot be disputed is that the ferry was overloaded without thought about safety regulations that should always be diligently enforced, and that it was an ageing vessel, lacking proper inspection and maintenance. .
We continue to prioritize profits over safety. Every single capsizing has become a painful reminder that the oversight mechanisms, tasked with ensuring adherence to safety standards, are either ineffective or non-existent.
Furthermore, the aftermath of the incident highlights a glaring lack of accountability where, instead of owning up to the failure, the contradictory reports suggest a blame game between the different stakeholders. Only through a concerted effort can we hope to prevent such incidents in the future. We hope that this incident can finally be a wake-up call to prioritize safety over negligence, and action over apathy.