Unfit human hauliers, driven by reckless drivers without licenses or with fake licenses, ply the Motijheel-Mugda route in the capital putting commuters' lives at risk.

Sources say the transport operators continue to operate the rundown vehicles on the route by “managing” a section of law enforcers and ruling party men.

While visiting Motijheel and Mugda areas recently, this correspondent found that most of the human hauliers were in a dilapidated condition. Dents, scrapes and damage were everywhere. Many had their headlights and front bumpers broken. Seats were shabby and torn.

Reckless driving was the main reason behind such battered condition of the vehicles, the drivers claimed.

“Everyone wants to drive fast to get more trips done in a day. While trying to do so, our vehicles often hit other vehicles, resulting in dents and damages,” said Abu Miah, a driver of a human haulier.

Another human haulier, that is in worse shape than jelopies seen in Looney Tunes. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Transport owners, however, claimed that the vehicles came under attacks during the BNP-Jamaat's countrywide blockade and shutdowns, and had been in that condition since.

“We incurred a huge loss during that period. We are not that much interested in repairing them. But we check and repair engines regularly to keep the vehicles operational,” said Jahangir Alam, owner of a human haulier.

Talking to The Daily Star, at least 10 drivers and owners claimed that they had fitness certificates for their vehicles. However, they could not produce even one.

Asked whether law enforcers check documents, the owners said police hardly do so, as the owners had given two vehicles to two nearby police stations free of cost for their use.

“Even we have provided drivers for the vehicles. So, they don't make any trouble,” said an owner, seeking anonymity.

Besides, most of the owners are affiliated with different pro-ruling party organisations and senior party leaders of the area. So, there is no problem in operating the vehicles, the owners claim.

Contacted, Mugda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Omar Faruk said, “We use their [transport owners'] vehicle occasionally, but not all the time.”

A rope, is used for keeping the driver's door of another vehicle closed. The photos of the vehicles, which run between Mugdha and Motijheel, were taken recently. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Passengers on this route are left with little choice but to travel in the rickety vehicles as bus services on this route are limited.

“Engines of these vehicles often stop or produce odd sounds while plying. If it rains, the roof leaks. Besides, seating conditions are so poor that it is not possible to travel comfortably,” said Ishtiaq Hossain, an employee of a government bank, who regularly travels on these vehicles.

“They [drivers] drive so recklessly that I remain gripped by fear of accidents all the time,” said Mahfuza Begum, a private jobholder, who works at Motijheel.

While talking to around 15 drivers, this correspondent asked if they had driving licenses. Around half of them claimed that they had original ones while the rest said they were using fake licenses.

“I obtained a duplicate [fake] licence by paying Tk 500 to a person with whom I was introduced to by one of my colleagues,” said driver Rabiul Islam.

Nazrul, another driver, said, “Most of the drivers work here on a temporary basis. Many are involved in other businesses too. And some drivers come here when they do not have other work.”

Registration, fitness certificate and tax token of vehicles as well as driving licence are mandatory for operating vehicles, said Debashis Nag, executive magistrate of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Regarding the plying of rundown human hauliers, BRTA Chairman Nazrul Islam told The Daily Star that these vehicles have registrations. But they may not have annual fitness certificates.

“We often conduct drive against unfit vehicles and drivers without licenses. We will look into the matter seriously,” Nazrul said.

Seeking anonymity, an official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Traffic) Motijheel zone said, “We know that these vehicles don't have fitness certificates. But we show relaxation of the rules as many people travel on these vehicles and bus services are not sufficient.”

DMP Joint Commissioner (traffic) Mohammad Moslehuddin Ahmed said, “These vehicles have registration and route permits. We often conduct drive to check whether they have fitness certificate. We are very cautious about checking the plying of unfit vehicles.”