Calling off the rescue operation of Pinak 6 which capsized with over two hundreds passengers in the Padma River recently showed negligence of the government, speakers told a roundtable yesterday.
They said the government had declared Pinak 6 abandoned as it had failed to salvage the vessel as well as recover bodies from the sunken launch even after eight days of its capsize.
They came up with the observation at a rountabale titled “Death Basin: Roads and Waterways of Bangladesh” held at the National Press Club. The Nagorik Oikko has organised the event.
Dr Abdur Rahim, member of the National Water Resource Council said: “Thousand of people loss their lives in hundreds of accidents that happen on road and waterways every year. After accidents investigation is carried out, but no positive changes are come from the probe to check accidents.
He said the equipment used in searching the capsized launch Pinak 6 in riverbed are normally used to search something under transparent water, but the water of the Padma River was turbid.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of the Nagorik Oikko criticised the government for stopping the rescue operation so hurriedly.
He said: “Stopping the rescue operation so hurriedly showed negligence of the government”.
Former member of the parliament SM Akram said: “In our country many students at primary level do not get any bench to sit, but the government is giving their attention to buy MIG or submarine neglecting the need of the poor students.”
Professor Mabub Alam Talukder suggested the government for formulating a comprehensive committee comprising members of every ministry to prevent accident and the committee would report directly to the prime minister.
The speakers also urged transport owners and workers to put their recommendations to different forums to check accidents.
They also demanded comprehensive training by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and police to make skilled driver.
Journalist Golam Mortuja, transportation workers’ leader Iqbal Kabir, among others, were also present at the roundtable.
