CSO for judicial inquiry, compensation in Sadarghat launch tragedy

The country’s Safer Waterway Implementation Alliance (Nirapad Naupath Bastobayan Jote) Monday demanded a thorough judicial investigation into the Sadarghat launch tragedy on the Eid-ul-Fitr day (April 11) that claimed the lives of five people.

Leaders of the alliance attribute the tragic deaths to negligence and irresponsible actions by concerned individuals, a press release said.

The incident sparked outrage, with the negligence and reckless driving of the launches being strongly condemned.

On the afternoon of Eid, two launches were docked at pontoon number 11 of Dhaka Sadarghat, with insufficient space between them.

Despite this, another launch attempted to enter the pontoon recklessly, resulting in the rupture of one of the mooring ropes and the tragic deaths of five passengers waiting on the pontoon.

During festive occasions like Eid, there’s always heightened pressure on the jetties, warranting extra surveillance and security measures.

To ensure safer waterways, the alliance has laid out several demands that include appointment of a high court judge to lead the investigation committee; inclusion of experts and representatives of affected families in the committee; immediate publication of reports from all past investigation committees; deployment of adequate police force under the Marine Magistrate Court, exemplary punishment for all those found responsible for the accident; mandatory insurance for all passengers by launch owners and verification of passenger lists before departure.

The platform also demanded that maximum compensation be ensured for the families of those who died during the April 11 launch accident.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the alliance, said there is now an urgent need to secure a cost-effective waterway for safe transportation of people and goods.

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