Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Sheikh Rabiul Alam has warned that any bus company charging extra fares during the upcoming Eid will face cancellation of its route permit.
He emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for extortion on the roads during Eid.
Law enforcement agencies, highway police, mobile courts, and local administrations are actively monitoring the situation, while transport workers and owner organizations have also pledged to prevent overcharging.
The minister made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing at the Secretariat’s Road Transport and Highways Division, following a preparatory meeting aimed at ensuring safe and smooth travel for passengers across roads, bridges, railways, and waterways during Eid-ul-Fitr.
Government optimistic about smooth and safe travel
Sheikh Rabiul Alam expressed confidence that this year’s Eid journey will be comfortable and secure. Authorities will implement necessary measures to maintain smooth traffic flow and ensure that travelers reach their destinations without disruption. Regular consultations with transport authorities, labor organizations, bus and launch owners have resulted in several important decisions based on collective feedback.
Managing a surge of 1.5 lac travelers
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, the minister noted that nearly 1.5 lac people are expected to travel from Dhaka to various districts in the two to three days leading up to Eid. Drawing on past experience, he expressed hope that this year’s Eid journey could be managed even more effectively.
Extra buses to ease Chandra traffic
Addressing recurring traffic congestion at Chandra during Eid, Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced that additional buses from the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will be deployed to ease the traffic congestion.
Garment factories to be closed in phases ahead of Eid
Authorities have announced that garment factories will observe staggered holidays during Eid to ease pressure on transportation. According to the schedule, 16% of factories will close on March 16, followed by 22% on March 17. Officials hope that the gradual shutdown of factories will help prevent overcrowding caused by mass travel.
Strict action planned against excessive bus fares
Transport authorities have warned that bus companies charging fares above the approved rates during Eid will face strict action. Even a one-taka excess over the fixed fare could result in penalties, including cancellation of the company’s route permit. If overcharging amounts to a criminal offense, legal action will also be pursued.
Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam emphasized that no bus operator is allowed to set fares arbitrarily. He said transport owners have assured the government in meetings that they will adhere to the approved rates. Complaints from passengers regarding overcharging will be addressed promptly.