United News of Bangladesh

As many as 441 people including 63 children were killed and 1,128 others injured in 486 road accidents across the country in October, according to a report of Road Safety Foundation (RSF). Dhaka division recorded the highest number of accidents at 121, resulting in 112 deaths, the RSF report released on Wednesday said. The report noted that the number of fatalities and accidents rose compared to September, increasing by 24 deaths and 40 accidents respectively. The RSF prepared the report based on the reports of nine national dailies, seven online news portals and electronic media. Read more: RSF identifies 314 accident-prone upazilas across Bangladesh, 139 as highly risky Among the deceased, 137 people died in 192 motorbike accidents, accounting for 31.06% of total fatalities though this figure was six fewer than in the previous month. The deceased also included 98 pedestrians, 56 drivers and their assistants. Besides, nine waterways accidents claimed at least 11 lives with four missing. Besides, 43  people were killed and 12 others injured in 46 accidents involving trains across Bangladesh last month. Read more: Three killed in Ctg motorcycle accidents  Of the total accidents, 166 accidents occurred on the national highways, 148 on regional roads, 81 on rural roads and 87 on city roads, said the report. According to the report, 24.89% accidents occurred in Dhaka division, 11.52% in Rajshahi, 21.39% in Chattogram, 13.16% in Khulna, 6.37% in Barishal, 5.34% in Sylhet, 11.31% in Rangpur and 5.96% in Mymensingh division. Sylhet division saw 26 accidents with lowest 24 deaths during the same period, said the report. The RSF identified several key factors behind the rise in road accidents including faulty vehicles, reckless driving, drivers’ incompetence or illness, unsettled wages and working hours, low-speed traffic on highways, risky motorcycling by youth, frequent violation of traffic rules, poor traffic management, inefficiency of the BRTA, and extortion in the transport sector. The RSF urged the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to improve road safety across the country. Read more: 428 lives lost on roads in August in Bangladesh: RSF

At least 614 people were killed in 616 road accidents across 10 districts of Khulna division between October 2024 and September 2025, according to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Khulna regional office. During the same period, 892 vehicles were damaged, with motorcycles involved in the highest number of accidents. Among the districts, Jashore reported the highest number of fatalities, with 107 people killed and 104 injured in 109 accidents. In Khulna district, 34 accidents claimed 43 lives and injured 38, while Bagerhat saw 48 accidents resulting in 45 deaths and 58 injuries. Satkhira reported 39 accidents that left 50 dead and 43 injured, and Narail recorded 25 accidents with 30 deaths and 42 injuries. Magura had 44 accidents that caused 48 deaths and 42 injuries, while Jhenaidah saw 84 accidents with 83 deaths and 44 injuries. Kushtia witnessed 103 accidents with 100 deaths and 104 injuries, Chuadanga 83 accidents with 60 deaths and 74 injuries, and Meherpur 47 accidents with 47 deaths and 65 injuries. Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, deputy director at BRTA Khulna, attributed the high number of road crashes to weak law enforcement, poor coordination, and inadequate driver training. Highway horror under Cumilla region; 525 killed in 9 months Competition among vehicles, the movement of small vehicles such as nosimon, autorickshaws, and rickshaws on highways, and pedestrians’ carelessness were also cited as contributing factors. He said three-wheeled vehicles, particularly autorickshaws, nosimon, karimon, and battery-run rickshaws, are major contributors to road incidents. Babul Hawlader, member secretary of Khulna Civil Society, said reckless driving, poor traffic management, and lax enforcement are fuelling daily road fatalities. He said strategic measures and stronger monitoring by authorities could significantly reduce deaths. Hawlader mentioned that many highway crashes occur when drivers try to overtake others, increasing the risk of head-on collisions. Authorities have underscored the urgent need for stricter traffic regulations, improved road safety infrastructure, and greater driver awareness to curb the rising trend of road accidents across the division.

The government has taken a move to introduce a tougher new policy to regulate the rampant and risky movement of unregistered battery-operated three-wheelers, commonly known as electric auto-rickshaws or easy bikes across the country, including the capital. The reckless movement of these vehicles has created chaos on city roads and highways, leading to worsening traffic congestion and increasing accident risks. The government attempts to remove them from major roads in Dhaka failed to see success amid protests and movements by drivers and owners. Although there is no definite count, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) estimates that there are over 60 lakh battery-run rickshaws in the country with 10 to 12 lakh operating in Dhaka alone. To bring discipline in their operation, the draft of the 'Electric Three-Wheeler Management Policy 2025' has been prepared by the Road Transport and Highways Division under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry. As per the draft policy, all battery-operated three-wheelers must be registered with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and drivers must obtain valid driving licenses. The vehicles will be restricted to designated routes outside national highways with separate limits set for medium- and low-speed electric three-wheelers. A passenger and goods transport committee formed under the Road Transport Act will determine how many vehicles can operate in an area. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Ehsanul Haque told UNB that the uncontrolled growth of fitness-lacking battery-run rickshaws has disrupted traffic systems nationwide. A draft for a news policy has been prepared to bring them under regulation and that stakeholder feedback is now being reviewed, he said. Battery-run rickshaws won’t be allowed on Dhaka's main roads: DNCC Administrator “We hope the policy will be approved very soon. Once implemented, it will end the ongoing disorder caused by unregulated electric rickshaws,” he added. As per the draft, one person can own a maximum of three medium-speed and five low-speed rickshaws. All rickshaws must be transformed into safe models within a year, according to the draft. It says medium-speed rickshaws will be limited to a maximum speed of 50 km/h, and low-speed rickshaws to 30 km/h. The vehicles must be constructed following BRTA-approved designs and only parts and components approved by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) will be allowed. All components such as motors, controllers, gearboxes, axles, wheels, brakes, headlights, shock absorbers, batteries and chargers must be BSTI-approved and manufacturers and assemblers must be registered with BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority). All imported or locally assembled electric three-wheelers and parts must have BRTA approval and only new vehicles and new parts (BSTI-approved) can be imported. Charging stations must comply with the 2021 guidelines issued by the Power Division. BRTA will set fares for these vehicles. Manufacturers must be listed by BRTA and cannot operate without being listed. The vehicle must display the owner and driver's contact numbers visibly for passengers. BRTA will arrange district-level training for drivers in consultation with local transport committees. According to the draft, electric three-wheelers will not be allowed on national highways except in service lanes. These will be allowed to operate in designated areas, including city corporations, ‘A’ category municipalities, district, upazila and union-level local roads. Only local passengers and goods transport committees will determine the number and route allocations in these areas. On the matter of penalties, the draft clearly states that violations will be addressed as per the Road Transport Act 2018, and necessary legal action will be taken against offenders. Don't ride battery-run rickshaws and buy anything from hawkers on footpaths:DNCC Regarding the timeline, all current unsafe low-speed vehicles must be converted to safe models within one year as per the Electric Motor Vehicle Registration and Operation Policy 2023. After this deadline, unapproved vehicles will be subject to legal action. The draft also stressed the need for a complete phase-out of unauthorised locally made vehicles such as diesel and petrol-engine vehicles used in agriculture and waterways. Local transport committees are to replace them with approved alternatives.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has  suspended the registration of the rashly-driven bus that lost its roof  amid the driver’s desperate bid to escape after an accident. An office order signed by Sanaul Haque, Deputy Director of BRTA's Dhaka Metro Circle-2, was issued in this regard. According to the order, the registration of vehicle bearing registration number Dhaka Metro-B-14-9350 has been suspended under the Road Transport Rules 2022. BRTA, DMP launch drive to prevent movement of unfit buses during Eid The owner of the vehicle — the authorities of Prime Bank, Karwan Bazar Branch — have been asked to appear in-person at a hearing with the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit, and the driver’s licence. The office order said, on April 17, a bus named “Barishal Express” hit a private car on Kamarkhola rail flyover in Munshiganj’s Srinagar upazila. It then collided with a covered van severely damaging its front portion and causing panic to the driver. Seeing police and army vehicles behind, the driver reportedly drove more and the bus hit the expressway railing, causing the roof to detach and fall onto the road and leaving eight passengers injured.  

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Wednesday conducted a drive at various locations across Dhaka to alleviate passenger suffering during the Eid journey. Dring the drive, several transport companies were fined for charging excessive fares, confirmed Nobel Dey, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. Labiba Paribahan, Sonartari Paribahan, and Seba Green Line Paribahan were each fined Tk 10,000, with a total of Tk 30,000 imposed for fare violations at Rainkhola in Mirpur during the mobile court operation. Meanwhile, a powerful transport syndicate has started extorting Tk 832.30 crore from over 1.5 crore Eid travellers as "tips," forcing them to pay exorbitant extra fares, according to a report by the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity. The report, presented by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Wednesday, highlighted widespread fare irregularities across road, rail, water and air transport.  

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.

In a move aimed at enhancing customer service, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has announced that its offices will remain open on Saturdays, the weekly holiday in the country. Muhammad Masum Billah, Deputy Director (Administration) of BRTA, issued an official order on Thursday outlining the decision. Govt condemns arson attack on Tripura community's homes in Bandarban According to the directive, BRTA's Metro Circle and District Circle offices will operate on Saturdays until further notice. This measure is intended to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to the public, the order says. This initiative is expected to benefit citizens who often face difficulties in accessing BRTA services during regular working days due to busy schedules. By remaining operational on Saturdays, BRTA aims to provide greater flexibility and ease of access for customers across the country.

A prolonged dispute between the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and its contracted supplier, Indian-based Madras Security Printers (MSP), is exacerbating the wait times for applicants seeking smart driving licence cards. The backlog of applications for these essential cards has now reached 610,000, with no guarantee as to when applicants will receive their cards. As per BRTA records, MSP is required to deliver 4 million smart cards by July 2026 under the terms of their Tk 1.2 billion contract, signed in July 2020. However, the supplier has reportedly delivered only half of this number so far. Compounding the issue, MSP has yet to process approximately 600,000 applications. BRTA officials indicate that MSP’s delays have significantly impacted their service delivery, while MSP contends that production is stalled due to unpaid bills by the BRTA. Meanwhile, new applications continue to flood in, encompassing fresh applications, renewals, and amendments. For applicants, the prolonged wait for smart driving licence cards creates a host of challenges. Many report that their employment opportunities, both in government and private sectors, are hindered without a valid smart card. Read: How to Get BRTA Smart Card Driving License MD Rayhan, a city bike driver who applied two years ago, expressed frustration over repeated encounters with traffic police unwilling to recognise temporary documentation, often leading to fines or penalties. In an attempt to address these issues, the BRTA has introduced an e-paper driving licence system, offering applicants a temporary document with a QR code after they pass their driving tests. According to BRTA’s Director of Audit and Law Mohammed Kamrul Islam this system serves as an interim solution, allowing individuals to drive until they receive their smart cards. “The supplier is still struggling to meet their commitments, so we introduced this system as an alternative,” he said. Historically, BRTA has relied on various contractors for smart card issuance. Before MSP, local firm Tiger IT Bangladesh Limited, in collaboration with a French company, successfully fulfilled its agreement, providing approximately 1.5 million cards ahead of schedule due to high demand. The ongoing crisis prompted the newly installed interim government to announce a shift in policy. Taking office on August 8 after the ouster of the Awami League-led government, the administration declared an end to the smart card programme for driving licences, replacing it with standard Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cards. The delays in smart card issuance reportedly date back to the tenure of former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who allegedly faced accusations of preferential contract awards. The issue of alleged corruption within the BRTA also looms large. Read more:How to Obtain an International Automobile Driving License from Bangladesh? Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reported in 2021 that 83.1% of households experienced some form of corruption when seeking a driving licence, with 83.7% relying on intermediaries or “brokers” to expedite services. Moving forward, BRTA sources indicate that new applicants will receive PVC cards while older applicants must submit their previous cards. However, there remains no clear timeline for when these will be issued.

A prolonged dispute between the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and its contracted supplier, Indian-based Madras Security Printers (MSP), is exacerbating the wait times for applicants seeking smart driving licence cards. The backlog of applications for these essential cards has now reached 610,000, with no guarantee as to when applicants will receive their cards. As per BRTA records, MSP is required to deliver 4 million smart cards by July 2026 under the terms of their Tk 1.2 billion contract, signed in July 2020. However, the supplier has reportedly delivered only half of this number so far. Compounding the issue, MSP has yet to process approximately 600,000 applications. BRTA officials indicate that MSP’s delays have significantly impacted their service delivery, while MSP contends that production is stalled due to unpaid bills by the BRTA. In the meantime, new applications continue to flood in, encompassing fresh applications, renewals, and amendments. For applicants, the prolonged wait for smart driving licence cards creates a host of challenges. Many report that their employment opportunities, both in government and private sectors, are hindered without a valid smart card. MD Rayhan, a city bike driver who applied two years ago, expressed frustration over repeated encounters with traffic police unwilling to recognise temporary documentation, often leading to fines or penalties. Environment Ministry urges BRTA to phase out 20-25-yr old buses, trucks In an attempt to address these issues, the BRTA has introduced an e-paper driving licence system, offering applicants a temporary document with a QR code after they pass their driving tests. According to BRTA’s Director of Audit and Law, Mohammed Kamrul Islam, this system serves as an interim solution, allowing individuals to drive until they receive their smart cards. “The supplier is still struggling to meet their commitments, so we introduced this system as an alternative,” he explained. Historically, BRTA has relied on various contractors for smart card issuance. Before MSP, local firm Tiger IT Bangladesh Limited, in collaboration with a French company, successfully fulfilled its agreement, providing approximately 1.5 million cards ahead of schedule due to high demand. The ongoing crisis prompted the newly installed interim government to announce a shift in policy. Taking office on 8 August after the ouster of the Awami League-led government, the administration declared an end to the smart card programme for driving licences, replacing it with standard Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cards. The delays in smart card issuance reportedly date back to the tenure of former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who allegedly faced accusations of preferential contract awards. The issue of alleged corruption within the BRTA also looms large. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reported in 2021 that 83.1% of households experienced some form of corruption when seeking a driving licence, with 83.7% relying on intermediaries or “brokers” to expedite services. Moving forward, BRTA sources indicate that new applicants will receive PVC cards while older applicants must submit their previous cards. However, there remains no clear timeline for when these will be issued.

Drivers of battery-run three wheelers have been staging demonstration blocking roads in Dhaka’s Mirpur, Pallabi and some other areas since Sunday (May 19, 2024) morning, demanding withdrawal of ban on the movement of the vehicle in the capital. Vehicular movement remained suspended  as of filing this report at 1:40pm, on Mirpur-10 to 11, 2, 13 and Shewrapara roads, causing immense suffering to commuters. Abu Saleh Md Raihan, joint commissioner (traffic-north) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said three-wheeler drivers started demonstration around 9am obstructing  plying of other vehicles, resulting in suffering of common people. Sub-Inspector Mostaq Ahmed, duty officer of Pallabi police station, said though police teams were sent to the Mirpur area remove them from the roads, the protesters are yet to leave the roads. Increase vigilance on movement of three-wheelers, motorcycles during Eid holidays: Quader Witnesses said several hundred three-wheeler drivers gathered in the Mirpur-10 intersection to press home their demand in the morning. Police requested them to leave the busy road but they didn’t listen to them. Currently, the three-wheeler drivers have been staging demonstration  in Mirpur, Pallabi, Agargaon, Taltola, Kalshi and Mirpur-13 areas. Earlier on Wednesday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to stop the movement of battery-run three wheelers on the roads in Dhaka city. Commuters bear the brunt as 48hr transport strike in Ctg underway in response to buses burnt by CUET students “No battery-run three wheelers will be allowed on city roads. Apart from this, the movement of three wheelers has already been prohibited on 22 highways,” he said while speaking at the advisory council meeting at Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) headquarters on that day.