According to people familiar with the matter, the ferry lost control due to strong currents and hit the pillar instead of coming through pillars number 11 and 12. COURTESY
A ferry has once again slammed into a pillar of the under-construction Padma Bridge, just four days after a similar incident.
The ferry ‘Kakoli’, which was on the way to Shimulia Ghat from Banglabazar, hit pillar No 10 a little after 7am on Friday, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Marine Safety and Traffic Management Department Assistant Director Shahadat Hossain.
According to people familiar with the matter, the ferry lost control due to strong currents and hit the pillar instead of coming through pillars number 11 and 12.
Ferry operator Md Badol Hossain said that the vessel sustained a crack after the collision as it was above water level but no casualties were reported.
The pillar, however, was not damaged, he added.
The incident occurred just hours before State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury’s scheduled visit to the Shimulia-Banglabazar waterway.
Following the incident, he visited the Padma Bridge area and the Majhikandi Ghat in Madaripur at around 10am.
At the end of the visit, he said although there was no significant structural damage, the repeated incidents of ferries colliding into the Padma Bridge was quite jarring.
“A high-level meeting held on Friday to find a solution so that such incidents would not repeat,” he added.
Earlier, inquiries were opened and operators were suspended over similar incidents on July 23 and August 9.
After the third ferry collision with the pillar of the bridge State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited the area on Friday morning. The minister talked to reporters at Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj. He said instructions that were given to avoid repeated collision of water vehicles with Padma Bridge's pillars are being neglected.
"The incidents of collisions with the pillars of the bridge are being investigated. Action will be taken against those who acted irresponsibly," he said.
The authorities are emphasising the skill of ferry operating and there will be no reluctance in taking action in this regard, the state minister added.
"If the Padma Bridge is hit, so do the heart of the people," said Khalid.
0 Comments