The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has adopted a comprehensive action plan to ensure safe, comfortable, and smooth travel for the general public across the country ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha.
The decision came at a preparatory meeting held on Monday at the ministry, chaired by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam.
The meeting decided that a 24-hour central control room will operate from May 20 to May 31 at the BRTA headquarters to ensure a safe and congestion-free Eid journey.
The control room will continuously monitor conditions on important highways and congestion-prone areas, prevent excess fare collection, and coordinate with police, the health department, the fire service, and local administration, officials said.
Initiatives have also been taken to appoint an additional 50 executive magistrates alongside the 19 executive magistrates of BRTA to conduct mobile courts across the country during the Eid period.
Special vigilance and monitoring teams will be formed at all bus terminals across the country, including Sayedabad, Mohakhali, Gabtoli, and Fulbaria in the capital, to prevent excess fare collection, overloading of passengers and goods, and other irregularities.
BGB to be deployed at toll plazas
To control congestion and ensure security, the requisite number of BGB personnel will be deployed at important toll plazas and congestion-prone areas from seven days before Eid to three days after Eid, the meeting decided.
Law enforcement agencies and Rover Scout members will also be deployed to perform their duties.
To reduce public suffering, BRTC will operate special Eid services from Dhaka metropolis to various districts and important destinations. Additional standby buses will be kept ready if necessary.
In addition, the metro rail headway will be adjusted considering passenger pressure during peak hours.
To strengthen road safety, initiatives have been taken to install convex blind spot mirrors on accident-prone highways, implement special safety measures at black spots, and conduct dope tests for drivers.
Ten special medical teams from the health department will conduct dope tests for professional drivers.
‘No negligence will be tolerated’
Speaking as chair of the meeting, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said, “The government is working with utmost importance to make the Eid journey safe, smooth, and comfortable.”
“All related agencies must perform their duties in a coordinated manner to reduce passenger suffering, lower road accidents, and ensure a disciplined transport system. No form of irregularity or negligence of duty will be tolerated,” he warned.
He further stated that if any accident or violation occurs within the jurisdiction of departments under the Road Transport and Highways Division, disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned officers and employees, as well as supervising officers, following an investigation.
The meeting was attended by State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, MP Shamshur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, along with leaders of transport owners’ and workers’ associations, and senior government officials.
