State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury suspects there may be a 'deep conspiracy' behind the latest incident of collision of ferries with the Padma Bridge.
He on Tuesday said the government's intelligence unit was asked to investigate it and find the truth, reports UNB.
“I smell a big conspiracy in the latest hit at Padma Bridge by ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir. It struck the span between the second and third pillars of the bridge in Louhaganj today,” he told reporters at his office at the Secretariat.
“As per the height of the Padma Bridge, it is impossible to hit the span of the bridge. Why did it happen today? An investigation is needed to find out who is responsible for it and we did not rule out a motive behind the incident,” said Khalid.
Already the Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader visited the spot and he has ordered the authorities concerned to investigate the incident, he said.
“We want a fair investigation and whoever is behind it should be exposed thorough investigation,” he added.
However, the authorities concerned about Padma Bridge said there is no sign of any mark of damage on the span but they have found video footage showing the spot of the hit.
Replying to a query about the results of the previous investigation conducted on the Padma Bridge collision State Minister Khalid said, “No ill motive was found from the previous accidents and it was truly an accident. The process to take action against those responsible for the accidents is underway.”
While talking about introducing alternative ferry terminals, he said Majhirkandi ghat will be used as an alternative after the opening of the Padma Bridge.
Now there is a navigability problem and light vehicles will cross through the point after clearing all barriers as there is no scope to build a yard there. Padma Bridge authority will give a place for the yard.”
Earlier in the day, a ferry, Birshreshtha Jahangir, hit the span between the second and third pillars of the bridge in Louhaganj. The ferry had no passengers on board. It was heading to Paturia on Tuesday after repairs at Simulia Ghat when the accident occurred.
This is the same ferry that hit pier 10 of Padma Bridge on August 9, injuring five passengers and causing damage to three vehicles it was carrying. The ferry was heading to Paturia on Tuesday after repairs at Simulia Ghat when the accident occurred.
The ferry’s mast was broken following the latest collision.
Syed Tajul Islam, chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), told UNB that the mast on the top of the ferry collided with the span between pillars 2 and 3 of Padma Bridge and broke.
However, it is unclear whether Padma Bridge has suffered any damages.
The 16th and 17th pillars of Padma Bridge were also hit by ferries on July 20 and 23.
There have been five more cases of ferries hitting the pillars of the bridge this year. General diaries have been filed, inquiry panels have been formed and ferry drivers suspended over these accidents.
It may be mentioned here that authorities have suspended ferry services on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route since August 18 to avoid such accidents.