Nearly one in three registered motor vehicles in Habiganj lacks a valid fitness certificate, raising road safety concerns as thousands of such vehicles continue to operate across the district.
According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), 10,504 of the district’s 31,861 registered motor vehicles lack valid fitness certificates, accounting for approximately 33 per cent of the total.
Residents say these vehicles, along with inexperienced drivers, are increasing the risk of road accidents.
BRTA records show that 9,539 CNG-run autorickshaws lack valid fitness certificates, the highest number among all vehicle categories.
The list also includes 173 human haulers, 173 pickup trucks, 131 trucks and 93 buses.
Ten ambulances regularly used to transport patients also lack valid fitness certificates.
Residents say many of these vehicles are old and in poor condition, posing risks to passengers and other road users.
Black smoke emitted by ageing and defective vehicles is also raising public health concerns.
Zakaria Ahmed, a businessman from the town’s Sabujbagh area, said many dilapidated vehicles continued to operate on local roads.
“Many vehicles are in such poor condition that they appear unfit for the road. I feel afraid to travel in them,” he said.
Faruk Mia, a resident of the Tin Kona Pukur area, said vehicles without valid fitness certificates posed additional road safety risks.
“These vehicles pose a serious risk on the roads. Accidents could happen at any time,” he said.
Tofazzal Sohel, former general secretary of the Habiganj chapter of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), called for stronger action against vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates.
“The authorities should prepare a list of vehicles without fitness certificates and conduct mobile court drives against them,” he said, also urging action against motorists violating traffic rules.
BRTA and traffic police officials said regular enforcement drives were being conducted against vehicles lacking valid fitness certificates.
Md Abdur Rashid, Assistant Director, BRTA said owners were notified when their vehicles’ fitness certificates expired, but not everyone renewed them.
“When a vehicle’s fitness certificate expires, we send a message to its owner. Some come forward for renewal, while others do not,” he said.
“We take legal action against those who fail to comply through mobile court operations,” he added.
Habiganj Traffic Inspector Rezaul Karim Khan said regular drives were being conducted to restore discipline on the roads.
“Enforcement against vehicles without valid fitness certificates and those violating traffic rules will be intensified,” he said.
