Capsized Ro-Ro ferry being operated for 'over 40 years'

The Ro-Ro ferry Amanat Shah had been operating for over 40 years until it partially capsized in the Padma river at the Paturia ghat area of Manikganj on Wednesday morning.

As per the Inland Water Transport Ordinance, the registration tenure of a vessel lasts for 30 years. The tenure can be extended 10 more years in two phases through special fitness survey. However, the vessel cannot be allowed to operate by any way after 40 years.

According to the list of vessels of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), the ferry Amanat Shah weighing 806.06 tonnes was built in 1980 with a capacity to carry 335 passengers and 25 vehicles simultaneously.

BIWTC’s Aricha office managing director (marine) Abdus Sattar said the ferry carrying 17 goods-laden trucks left Daulatdia ghat at Goalanda in Rajbari. It reached the Paturia ghat in Manikganj at around 10:00am and capsized partially.