Cops, BRTA failed to bring discipline on Dhaka roads: DMP chief

-- Suprobhat bus had no route permit 

-- Booked 27 times in the past

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia today said the government authorities including DMP and BRTA failed to enforce traffic discipline on Dhaka streets.

He said this while addressing the ‘Traffic Awareness Programme’ at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the capital.

While sharing some facts over the road crash that claimed the life of a BUP student on Tuesday, the DMP chief said the bus of ‘Suprobhat Paribahan’ did not have the route permit for plying on Dhaka streets.

Rather, the vehicle had the permission to run on Dhaka-Brahmanbaria highway, the commissioner said.

This particular bus was previously booked for 27 times on charge of violations of traffic rules, he said.

He reiterated the call to the bus owners to abolish the system of daily contracts with drivers and their helpers to bring discipline on roads.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia addressing ‘Traffic Awareness Programme’ at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the capital on March 21, 2019. Photo: Collected

Asaduzzaman also said tougher actions will be taken against unfit vehicles and no random parking will be allowed in the city.

He sought help and cooperation of the agitating students to restore traffic discipline on Dhaka roads.

The DMP chief came up with the observations two days after Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury was run over by an unruly bus of ‘Suprabhat Paribahan’ which was reportedly on a mad race.

Abrar, himself a road safety campaigner, met this tragic end while DMP was observing traffic week to bring discipline on the city streets.

The death of Abrar has also led to a flare of protests in Dhaka for safe road reminiscent to the August teen movement for the same cause.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued a press release requesting the owners and workers of the transport sector to coordinate fully with them so that the disciplinary issues on the Dhaka roads can be addressed duly.

In the press release issued yesterday, BRTA advised all the authorities concerned ensure that no vehicles are on the streets without route permit or accurate fitness. It also warned drivers so that they do not engage in races on the streets or drive recklessly among others.

BRTA has realised Tk 1,23,56,110 as fine through filing 7,128 cases between January 1 and March 19 while conducting mobile court drives.

They have also sentenced 15 people to separate terms in jail in the cases.