National

Experts urge reforms for safer, disciplined roads

Proper reforms in Bangladesh’s transport sector are essential to ensure discipline and safety on the roads, emphasised experts at a press conference hosted by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Saturday. 

The event was held to announce a forthcoming national dialogue focused on institutional management and structural reforms in the sector.

Reading the national dialogue declaration, RSF Chairman Professor AI Mahbub Uddin Ahmed criticised current policies as ineffective, noting that policymakers typically do not use public transport themselves, which often leads to impractical solutions. He pointed to a lack of coordination among related government institutions as a significant factor contributing to ongoing disorder in the sector.

“Currently, 53% of individuals rely on public transport, while only 11% use private vehicles, yet these private vehicles occupy 70% of the road space. This is a severe inequity,” he said, urging a return to order in the public transport system.

In its recommendations, RSF called for appointing experts with knowledge of motor vehicles or academics as the head of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), as the role is currently filled by officials from the administration cadre, often lacking relevant expertise. 

Additionally, the organization proposed bolstering skilled manpower within BRTA and establishing a state-operated training center to ensure drivers receive proper training.

The foundation highlighted that the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) remains largely ineffective and urged the government to make the DTCA a more functional agency. 

RSF also recommended forming a high-level coordination committee to improve collaboration among BRTA, DTCA, Bangladesh Police, the Road and Highways Division, LGED, Local Government Administration, and city corporations, which they argued would enhance control over road management.

A company-based bus service in Dhaka was suggested to reduce reliance on private cars and alleviate traffic congestion. RSF also noted that extortion, backed by certain political groups, contributes to chaos in the sector. 

They further cited issues such as unskilled drivers, unfit vehicles, poorly designed roads, and unprofessional management practices by vehicle owners as factors causing “structural killings” on the road, which they believe authorities should be held accountable for.

The Road Safety Foundation announced that a national dialogue will take place on December 7 and 8, bringing together 37 stakeholders to discuss various topics, including the development of a sustainable national transport strategy, a review and implementation of the Road Transport Act 2018, and reforms across different government transport agencies.

SRS/MSU/NMA