Launch disasters

More than 1,500 passengers have died in launch mishaps in the confluence over the last 10 years. So there is no dearth of evidence that the vessels operating between the capital and the southern districts have to pass through a very turbulent navigational channel. But the question is -- one that might cause a great deal of discomfiture to the government agencies -- what has been done so far to minimise the risks? If the circumstances, which led to last Tuesday's launch disaster, are studied carefully, then we will find that the risk of accident was doubled by overloading. It is not at all clear how the launch operators could agree to take on board the passengers of another launch, which had failed to make its scheduled journey. Only an utter disregard for human lives could have prompted such an unpardonably careless and irresponsible move.

The launch also developed mechanical faults before it went down. So there were apparently many breaches of navigational rules that must not go unnoticed. If the authorities want to prevent such accidents in future they have to be tough on the violators of rules. Reports indicate that the only terminal inspector who should have made sure that the launch was not overloaded was on duty in some other place on that day. The shipping department and the BIWTA are blaming each other for the lapse. But what we would like to point out is that the government agencies have to handle such issues a lot more seriously.

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It is also imperative that a set of navigational rules is framed and strictly adhered to in the 'confluence of death'. Obviously, the safety of launch passengers is too important a matter to be left to the launch owners and operators not capable of seeing anything beyond making extra profits. It seems rescue operations are also being carried out in a lacklustre manner. Matters must improve greatly in this area also.

The launch disasters have proven that we are unable to face a danger despite knowing where it exists. The government agencies and launch operators have to refute the general belief, that the journey along the confluence is extremely perilous, by performing better.