With Eid fast approaching, the journeys across the country should be a time of joyous homecoming. Unfortunately, too often, this period becomes a period of mourning for too long.
One look at the statistics from last year paints a very grim picture; during last year's Eid-ul-Fitr, a staggering 399 road accidents resulted in 407 deaths and nearly 1,400 injuries. Railway and waterway accidents added to the toll, claiming more lives and leaving scores injured.
While many of these accidents are indeed accidents, too often, there is one common factor that exacerbates these tragedies -- unfit vehicles.
To that end, we fully support the Jatri Kalyan Samiti's recent demand to ban unfit vehicles from roads, railways, and waterways during Eid; according to the Jatri Kalyan Samiti, around 500,000 vehicles across the country lack the necessary fitness certificates, a clear indication of the widespread disregard for safety standards.
Year after year, we have been unable to be rid of these unsafe vehicles on our roads, railways, and waterways that needlessly endanger lives. These vehicles, often operating without proper permits or safety checks, do far more harm than good, and it is about time we start addressing this issue with the seriousness that it has always warranted.
Given the complex and persistent nature of this crisis, it is not possible to have an overnight solution. However, it starts with the authorities concerned prioritizing the enforcement of existing regulations and cracking down on vehicles lacking fitness certificates while regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and other relevant authorities need to collaborate to remove unfit vehicles.
In the long run, however, we must invest in safer public transportation options and improving our road infrastructure - both of these also contribute to the alarming number of accidents and deaths in the country.
The need to get rid of unfit vehicles is not just relevant during Eid but throughout the year. We must ensure safer travel for all in Bangladesh.
