Improved service on riverways demanded

Twenty one citizens of different professions have demanded to increase the service quality in inland water transport sector and an end to various types of harassment to vessel owners.
They also demanded to ensure transparency and accountability in the dredging of rivers and regular removal of silt, reports UNB.
They made the demands in a joint statement sent to the media on Monday.
The statement alleged that the owners were being harassed to get annual survey (fitness), route permit and timetable of passenger vessels. Due to the reasons, the launch owners have been complaining that unnecessary money is being spent at various stages. Apart from this, the security system and passenger service quality at different river port terminals and launch ghats are not satisfactory. Due to the reasons, passengers on the waterways have started to decrease, the statement said.
The signatories to the statement include Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) vice-president SM Najer Hossain, prominent children organizer and freedom fighter Nurur Rahman Selim, chief executive of Nagorik Uddog Zakir Hossain, general secretary of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi Amit Ranjan Dey, executive president of Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB) Haji Mohammad Shahid Mia, General Secretary of National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways Ashis Kumar Dey, member secretary of Safe Waterway Implementation Movement Aminur Rasul Babul and Coordinator of Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement Nikhil Chandra Bhadra.