Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has temporarily suspended the registration of the Showhardo Paribahan bus that fell into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ghat in Goalanda, Rajbari. The owner of the bus has also been summoned.
The information was disclosed in a letter signed by BRTA Rajbari Circle Assistant Director (Engineering) Muhammad Ahidur Rahman on Friday.
According to the letter, the registration of the accident-hit bus has been immediately suspended under the Road Transport Act 2018 and the Road Transport Rules, 2022. The owner has been instructed to appear at the BRTA office within the next three working days and provide a written explanation as to why the registration should not be permanently cancelled.
The letter also asked the owner to submit original documents, including the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit, and the driver’s driving licence.
It further stated that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated time would result in the permanent cancellation of the bus’s registration and the initiation of strict legal action against the owner.
Meanwhile, a BRTA motor vehicle inspector has visited the scene and submitted a preliminary report. According to the report, the bus lost control while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 3 at around 5:15pm on March 25 and plunged into the Padma River.
So far, the bodies of 26 passengers have been recovered, while five others have been seriously injured.