2 suspended over crashing into Padma bridge pillar, probe formed

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has suspended acting muster and another operator of Ro-ro ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir for hitting a pillar of the under-construction Padma bridge. Alongside, a five-member body has been formed to probe the allegation.

Acting Master Delowarul Islam and Seacunny Abul Kalam Azad have been temporarily suspended, a press release signed by BIWTC official Mansura Ahmad said on Tuesday (August 10).

Munshiganj Assistant Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Russell Monir said on Monday: “After the collision, a cargo vehicle on the ferry rolled over on two cars and damaged them.

At least 10 people were injured when a ro-ro ferry hit the bridge on a turbulent Padma river.

The authorities have suspended two operators of a ferry which hit a Padma Bridge pillar in Munshiganj on Monday leaving at least 10 people injured.

Ro-ro ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir, on the way from Banglabazar Ghat in Madaripur to Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj, hit pillar No 10 of the Padma Bridge at around 6:30pm on Monday.

Its acting Master Delowarul Islam and Seacunny Abul Kalam Azad have been temporarily suspended, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said on Tuesday.

A five-member panel has been formed to investigate the matter, it said.

Munshiganj Assistant Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Russell Monir said on Monday: “After the collision, a cargo vehicle on the ferry rolled over on two cars and damaged them.

“I have heard that two or three people were injured in this incident. The collision has also caused cracks on the bottom of the ferry from where water is also coming through.”

The ferry operator told Dhaka Tribune on Monday that due to heavy currents the direction of the ferry was changed and ended up hitting the pillar.

Incidentally, several ferries have hit the pillars of the Padma Bridge on this waterway before.

On July 23, ro-ro ferry Shahjalal collided with pillar No 17 of the Padma Bridge and on July 20, the ro-ro ferry Shah Makhdum also collided with pillar No 16 of the Padma Bridge.

“This time the amount of damage is less than the previous time when another ferry hit pillar No 17,” Padma Bridge Project’s Executive Engineer Dewan Md Abdul Quader said on Monday.