Trucks ply across a major portion of our country's road surface. Recently, there has been a proportionate increase in the number of these vehicles used for transportation of various commodities round the year. They come in a plethora of sizes and shapes tailor-made to serve specific purposes. Trucks are indispensable in the means of production as they provide the transportation of heavy construction material, imported machineries, raw materials, as well as finished industrial products for export and internal consumption, agricultural commodities, and many other consumables.
Trucks are notorious for causing accidents, occupying road spaces, and for creating traffic congestion and sound pollution. The fatal accidents have garnered them a reputation as killer trucks. We can find trucks in huge numbers at the sea and land ports, ferries and in the vicinity of production hubs like industrial areas, economic zones etc. Sometimes they illegally occupy a sizable portion of roads creating trouble for other vehicular traffic and pedestrians. They are sort of unwanted. There are even city restrictions barring them during daytime, forcing them to be nocturnal.
Trucks are very important for sustaining the lifeline of the logistics supply all the way from the ports of entry to the destinations countrywide; from farm producers at the field to wholesale markets to retailers; industrial products from factories to warehouses to consumers; construction material and commodities of various kinds to construction sites. We all feel the pinch when there is a truck strike.
The drivers and people involved are some of the most hardworking in the country. Their job is extremely hazardous, and not just because of the frequency of accidents. They are continuously exposed to the dust and the fumes, to the sun and the rain, to bullies from other transports, robbers and muggers, police and extortionists, the list goes on. They have very long hours of work, at times without any break, resulting in serious sleep deprivation from a matter of obligation. They hardly can afford to rest properly and avail any worthy recreational facility. The occupational hazards often ultimately lead them into drug addiction, diseases like hypertension, hearing loss, gastro-intestinal disorder of various sorts, and other illnesses.
Getting a license in the country is a very complicated and lengthy process nowadays. In spite of a digital system, the myriad of loopholes make them suffer at every stage, from appearing at a test till getting a learner's and a full-fledged driving license.
There is no agency entrusted to look after their minimum welfare and wellbeing. There are organizations such as Truck Drivers' or owners' association etc, but those are highly politicized and hardly have any scope or desire to do anything for improving the fate of these toiling masses.
A closer look at the schedule of work and the kind of life they lead would draw empathy from anyone with a heart.
The nights they pass sleepless, days they pass deprived of proper bathing and washing, their irregular food timings, exposure to mosquito bites and the hassles of the legal process are but only a few of the hazards they face on a daily basis.
The truck cabin may become their home for many days at a stretch. This contains all their meagre possessions, clothing, the bed, toiletries, soap and shampoo, a mosquito coil, crockeries, a mug and plates and perhaps a favourite audio system. There may even be a humble effort in growing flowers in a makeshift flower tub on the dashboard.
What happens when a driver gets involved in a police case following an accident? Often, accidents may happen through no fault of the truck driver. Yet, his choices are to either become a fugitive away from his home and family or settle it with a large sum of money.
It is worth mentioning that our Prime Minister gave some relevant directives in June 2018, which included building rest areas for drivers at regular intervals on highways. This is expected to bring some relief at least and help reduce accidents due to fatigue.
Accordingly, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) took a project the following year to build four rest areas for trucks at a cost of Tk 226.22 crore. The four rest areas would be built at Nimshar in Cumilla on Dhaka-Chattogram highway, Pachila in Sirajganj on Dhaka-Rangpur highway, Jagadishpur in Habiganj on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, and Laxmikandar in Magura on Dhaka-Khulna highway. With delays in implementation as usual it is now expected to finish by a fresh deadline in June 2023.
These facilities are expected to provide them with services including rest areas, toilets and bathing, parking and maintenance of their vehicles. These of course have to have a minimum payment to keep it sustainable.
These efforts are a good beginning, as the problems of these very important service providers have been recognized by the government. The issues I have touched on, including legal, training, healthcare and other amenities will need much more attention by the agencies.This is an area deserving serious research work to figure out ways and means to identify problems and suggest measures to effectively address those and bring succor to this hardworking community.
Brig Gen Qazi Abidus Samad, ndc, psc (Retd) is a freelance contributor.
