The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has sought information on the progress made by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in ensuring road discipline within the one-month timeframe set by the Road Transport Adviser. The association’s Secretary General, Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, has sent a letter to BRTA Chairman Md. Yasin, inquiring about the agency’s successes and shortcomings in this regard. This information was conveyed in a statement released to the media on Thursday.

In the letter, Mozammel Haque Chowdhury referred to a meeting held on December 19 at the Bidyut Bhaban on Abdul Gani Road in the capital. The meeting, titled 'Strengthening Discipline in the Road Transport Sector, Reducing Traffic Congestion in Dhaka Metropolitan Area, and Controlling Air Pollution,' was attended by Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan. During the discussion, he emphasized the need to alleviate traffic congestion in Dhaka, eliminate black smoke emissions from vehicles, ensure that all drivers possess valid driving licenses, and prevent unfit vehicles from operating on the roads. He also suggested involving the private sector in vehicle fitness certification if necessary.

Additionally, the meeting addressed several key issues, including removing illegal parking from the streets, proposing to the Ministry of Education the introduction of school buses, stopping unregulated passenger pick-ups by buses that cause congestion, removing buses over 20 years old from Dhaka’s streets by May, and identifying major congestion points to improve road discipline. BRTA was given a one-month period to implement these measures, with the warning that failure to show progress would result in actions against the agency.

The letter further stated that as of Thursday, February 27, it has been 69 days, or approximately two months and nine days, since the meeting. As a passenger rights organization, the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association is keen to know what progress has been made under the leadership of the Road Transport Adviser and BRTA. The association has requested that the progress report be provided within the next seven working days in the interest of public welfare.