No launch service for remote Patuakhali people for 2 months
Our Correspondent, Patuakhali
About one-and-a-half-lakh people of shoal areas in six unions of Galachipa upazila are suffering a lot due to stoppage of launch service on Patuakhali-Char Montaz route for about two months.The unions are Char Kajal, Char Biswas, Char Montaz, Chotto Baishdia, Baro Baishdia and Rangabali. The launch service was stopped following a launch mishap in the Buragourango on May 15. Launches were the only mode of transport for people of the unions. At present, people maintain link with the upazila headquarters and elsewhere with small boats. Although local people have demanded of the authorities to introduce sea boat service on the route, but their demand is yet to be implemented. Ill-fated 'Prince of Patuakhali' having no route permit with a capacity of only 80 passengers met the accident when it was going towards Char Montaz from Patuakhali with over 300 passengers, about 100 maunds of potatoes and ground-nuts on board. Officially the death toll rose to 65 while unofficially it was 82. Although plying of launch in inclement weather is officially prohibited from March 15 to October 15, but it was defied frequently on the route.
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