“Helpless” is how Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said he feels when VIPs and parliamentary colleagues defy traffic laws.
At a programme titled “Legislative Initiative Promoting Road Safety” hosted by Brac yesterday, he said: “I telephone the law-breaking VIPs that I know but they tell me I ought to fix the roads.”
Turning to the issue of bus fares, the minister could not conceal his ire at bus companies for continuing to overcharge passengers despite a government mediated fare hike.
“I do not see any change in the situation. Fares are being collected in an autocratic manner… passengers claimed to me that 97% of buses charge extra fares,” he said.
The minister also expressed annoyance over the illegal grabbing of roads. “I made the Nabinagar–Chandra Highway into a four-lane road but half of it has been grabbed.”
“How many times does a minister need to go to a site to remove illegal land grabbers?” an exasperated Obaidul asked.
Obaidul said the Road Transport Act 2015 is likely to be passed during the winter session of parliament.
The minister said major changes to the law would not be possible but minor amendments could be incorporated by the parliamentary standing committee.
Minor amendments would be considered based on the recommendations of a working group comprised of transport owners, transport workers, passengers’ representatives and representatives of other organisations, he said.
Former adviser to the caretaker government, Hossain Zillur Rahman, said the rise in the number of road accidents, capacity deficits in the road transport sector and the under-representation of passenger concerns also need to be addressed.
Moderated by Brac Executive Director Dr Muhammad Musa, the programme was attended by journalist Abed Khan and Faruk Talukder of the Bus Truck Owners Association.
