United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) may face closure if it fails to improve its operations, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after visiting the BRTA building and attending a road safety discussion at the conference room, Khan addressed concerns regarding the BRTA's performance. Earlier, on December 19, during a meeting at the Bidyut Bhaban Bhaban in Dhaka, the adviser had given the BRTA a one-month deadline to enhance its operations. With the deadline nearing its end, Khan observed that while some progress has been made, the authority's performance remains below acceptable standards. BRTA offices to remain open on Saturdays "BRTA officials have been clearly informed that their current conduct is unacceptable," he said. "I have told them that several government departments have already been shut down. If there is no significant improvement, we will consider closing down the BRTA." Khan said BRTA would remain under continuous monitoring, with intensified actions against unfit vehicles. Environment Ministry urges BRTA to phase out 20-25-yr old buses, trucks Addressing the alarming increase in road accidents, the adviser revealeda 12% rise in accidents compared to the previous year. "Since we assumed responsibility as the interim government, we have not been able to reduce road accidents, and we take responsibility for this," he said. Fouzul  added that although life is invaluable, the government has taken steps to provide compensation to the victims and families of those killed or injured in road accidents. This directive has been issued to the BRTA and other relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the law.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan on Saturday said the interim government will prioritise addressing the needs of people through direct engagement instead of the practice of making plans solely from Dhaka.  "From now on the interim government will not make any plans sitting in Dhaka. We will do what the people want by talking to them," he said while speaking to reporters in front of the administrative building of Itna Upazila Parishad.  The adviser assured that the government is actively working to resolve issues arising from the construction of all-weather road in the Haor region of Kishoreganj. Chief Adviser Dr Yunus attends Adviser Ariff’s Janaza He said connecting Haor upazilas with the Kishoreganj district on one side and Sylhet on the other would be treated as a priority.  Earlier in the day, Fouzul Kabir Khan traveled to Itna Upazila via road from Kishoreganj and participated in a view-exchange meeting at the Itna Upazila administration hall. The meeting brought together freedom fighters, local political leaders, government officials, teachers, journalists and members of civil society.  Transport sector mired in corruption: Adviser Nahid During his journey, the adviser inspected the Itna-Mithamain-Ashtagram all-weather road.  Secretary of the Roads and Bridges Department Ehsanul Haque, Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Khan, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury and other officials accompanied the adviser during the visit.