Problems of River Transportation in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper presents a study on problems of river transportation in Bangladesh. We used eight criteria to design survey question. This study is motivated by problems on river networks. We establish the statistical properties of a flow along a directed branching network and suggest its compact parameterization. Those criteria are, as follows, slow speed of water vessels, too many circular too many circular too many circular too many circulartoo many circular too many circular too many circular, cyclone and storm related problems, discontinuous routes in winter, flood problem, navigability problem, insufficient number of ports, unfit and backdated vessels. Question surveys were conducted among the shippers, the receiver carriers and agents, the government and the consumers. Two locations are considered, Sadar-ghat port and BIWTA. 9% BIWTA members, 20% shippers, 15% receivers, 19% carriers and agents, and 37% of end users responded for the survey. Large portion of stakeholders believed that unfit and backdated vessels are the main reason of river transportation problem. More than half stakeholders responded slow speed of water vessels and discontinuous and too many circular routes are the problems of river transportation. Concern authority should take necessary steps to improve water transportation system as per the suggestion made by a large-scale of survey. Our study can be used as a guideline for such kind of budgetary survey which needs financial assistance, man power and sufficient time. In the end the paper highlights the issues regarding the problems of river transportation in Bangladesh and the solution of the problems.