Sheikh Rabiul Alam, the Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, stated that the government is working to ensure safe roads and is striving to bring accountability to the transport sector where discrepancies occur.
Minister made these remarks on Thursday during a press briefing held at the Secretariat regarding road safety for the upcoming Eid journey.
“We want to keep roads safe. Monitoring transport is our responsibility. We are focused on that; where there is deviation, we are trying to bring accountability. This is our commitment,” he said.
In response to a query regarding extortion, the minister drew a distinction between legal subscriptions and illegal collections.
He noted his own involvement in various organisations, stating, “I am on a mosque committee, where I give subscriptions. I am a member of Rehab and pay an annual subscription. I am a member of the party’s national executive committee, where I also have to pay. Would you call these illegal?”.
Regarding the collection of money from trucks in Dhaka, the ,minister clarified that while illegal street collections are prohibited, the funds collected by truck owners’ associations for their own welfare are legal. He emphasised that the government remains ready to take necessary action if specific reports of illegal extortion are provided.
Addressing the measures being taken to ensure comfort during the Eid holidays, he remarked that while there have been no significant changes in the transport sector or the general standard of living and travel, the government is playing a proactive role to ensure that existing standards are effectively maintained for passengers. He added that the government aims to complete the Eid journey successfully.
