Aviation disaster is quite usual: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Boeing that was carrying her to Budapest was a new one procured from Boeing Company but the mechanical faults or human factors could have caused the debacle “aviation disaster is quite usual”, reports BSS.

The Premier made the comments at a press conference at her Gonobhaban residence on her two overseas visits to Marakkas and Budapest.

“Accident is accident which may occur at any time. There is nothing to be so worried about it . . . It’s a matter of great relief that the accident didn’t happen and we are alive by the grace of the almighty and doa of the countrymen which is my best strength to survive,” she said.

However, the premier said, an investigation is underway to unearth what caused the mechanical glitch requiring her aircraft to make an unscheduled landing at Turkmenistan on its way to Budapest.

She also binned an idea of procuring special aircraft for the president and the prime minister saying such a move would be a “luxury” for a country like Bangladesh, as the issue widely dominated the beginning of the question -answer session of the press conference.

The issue of BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s proposal about the constitution of the Election Commission Rohingya intrusion and proposed reshaping of the Jatiya Sangsad in line with Louis Kahn’s original design were some other major issues that got prominence at the press conference.

Replying to a question about the civil aviation safety the Prime Minister said after assuming power the Awami League government took real measures to strengthen the Biman fleet alongside measures remove the concern of two countries over the airport safety.

Sheikh Hasina said there is no need to buy a dedicated aircraft for her or the President to travel abroad as the “time has not come yet for such luxury,” and she rather feels comfortable and safe to travel with the common people of the country.

“About her ensuring visit to India at the third week of this month and possibility of signing an agreement on sharing of Teesta water the Prime Minister said she is not going to India on any condition but “discussion is underway (on Teesta) and we are hopeful (about the outcome).

Referring to Ganges Water Sharing Agreement she said Joint River Commission (JRC) of the two countries was working to reach a deal on sharing 54 common streams of the two neighbours including the Teesta with Bangladesh being the lower riparian country.