The government plans to make dope tests obligatory for all drivers, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said.
Following a meeting of the taskforce on law and order on roads at the Secretariat, the minister on Sunday told journalists that they would not allow anyone to extort the drivers.
The minister said that arrangements would be made in phases to conduct dope tests at the terminals while the drivers would be tested immediately before driving.
He said that the BRTA started the dope tests from January 30 before providing licenses.
"After two months, we will check whether the owners have provided appointment letters to the staff and drivers as it is in the law," he said.
The minister said a decision was made to make the issuance of the driving license process easier.
On toll collection, he said: "Except for the terminals, any money collection on the roads will not be allowed. Even the tax courts formed in the district and upazila levels won't be allowed to collect money from anywhere.”
The minister said that the police chief had been asked to take action in this regard.
Kamal also said that a committee was formed led by Bangladesh Road Transport Association (BRTA) chairman to examine how long the old private and government vehicles could operate on the roads.
"The decision to form the committee was made as the expired old vehicles often cause accidents on the roads," he added.