The failure of the water transport department under the Shipping Ministry was responsible for the catastrophe in the Sundarbans, Hasan Mahmud, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee of Environment and Forests Ministry, has alleged.
The Environment and Forests Ministry suggested stopping plying of water-crafts through the Sundarbans three years ago, but the Shipping Ministry failed to implement the suggestion at the time, he said.
He made the allegation while addressing a press briefing at the media centre of the parliament on Thursday afternoon after holding a meeting with the parliamentary committee on the ministry.
The Awami League leader termed the capsize of the oil tanker a catastrophe to the ecology and environment of the Sundarbans.
“The oil tanker that sank had no fitness certificate,” he said.
Hasan also said the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry took no action after the disaster.
