Jatri Kalyan Samiti has demanded a ban on unfit vehicles on roads, railways, and waterways during Eid travel to reduce accidents, traffic congestion, and public suffering.
In a statement sent to the media on Thursday, the association’s Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand.
He said every year during Eid, unfit buses, trucks, human haulers (leguna), three wheelers (tempo), microbuses, private cars, and locally assembled vehicles such as Nasimon-Karimon enter long-distance passenger transport services.
Besides, expired water vessels increase the risk of accidents, while outdated railway coaches, engines, and tracks frequently cause derailments and casualties, leading to delays and suffering for passengers, the statement reads.
Citing last year’s Eid-ul-Fitr statistics, he said 399 road accidents claimed 407 lives and injured 1,398 people.
Eighteen accidents in railway sector resulted in 24 deaths and 21 injuries while two waterway accidents caused seven deaths and five injuries.
To prevent similar incidents this year, he urged the government to take extensive preventive measures and promote public awareness.
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According to the statement, around 500,000 vehicles across the country currently lack fitness certificates.
Besides, 500,000 electric three-wheelers, 60,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws, 700,000 battery-powered rickshaws, 100,000 Nasimon-Karimon vehicles, and 20 lakh motorcycles operate daily on national and regional highways.
These vehicles slow down long-distance buses and contribute to severe traffic congestion.
The association urged the authorities to immediately remove such vehicles from national highways.
He alos called on regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and other relevant authorities to take action to free every inch of roads and highways from illegal encroachments to ensure smooth traffic movement.
About security concerns, he urged law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to prevent crimes such as snatching, doping gangs, and pickpocketing.
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He emphasised the need for increased intelligence surveillance and stronger security measures to ensure safe travel during the Eid rush.