United News of Bangladesh

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday said that the route permits of bus companies will be cancelled if they charge extra fares during Eid. “If anyone charges even one taka more than the approved fare, inform us. Exemplary action will be taken. We will control this at any cost,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting over the preparations to ensure a safe and smooth journey for passengers during Eid-ul-Fitr held at the Secretariat. Eid vacation extended to 7 days as govt announces March 18 holiday Responding to a question, the minister said there is no scope for charging extra fares as fares have already been set. The minister also said that the transport owners attended the meeting and assured that they would not charge extra fares during the Eid travel period. “There is a fixed fare structure. Passengers can ask whether the fare being charged is approved. No operator can charge any fare beyond the approved rate,” he added.

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday warned that anyone charging extra fare on waterways during the upcoming Eid holidays will face strict action. “If even one taka is charged beyond the approved fare, legal action will be taken against the owner and driver, including cancellation of the route permit and vessel licence,” he said at a preparatory meeting at the Shipping Ministry in the afternoon. The minister said passenger pressure on water routes increases significantly during Eid. "Ensuring safe, orderly and smooth travel for passengers is a top government priority." Mongla Port to undergo radical changes in 6 months: Shipping Minister He instructed that the BIWTA-approved fare list must be clearly displayed at all river ports, terminals, wharves and vessels. He also warned that carrying extra passengers or goods on launches is strictly prohibited, and passengers must not be allowed on the roof. Allegations of overcharging or carrying extra passengers or goods will be investigated, and violators will face cancellation of route permits and licences, he said. The Minister said that the mobile courts will operate at ferry, launch and speedboat piers to enforce the rules. “To prevent accidents, sand-carrying bulkheads and dinghies will be banned from March 16 to March 25. Speedboats will not operate at night, and authorities will strictly enforce life jacket use during the day,” he added. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister From March 17 to March 24, crossings by ordinary trucks and covered vans will be banned, except for vehicles carrying daily necessities and perishable goods, to ensure uninterrupted passenger transport. Authorities have been directed to keep the road from Zero Point in Dhaka to Sadarghat free of traffic jams from the 15th of Ramadan to the third day after Eid. Traffic police, naval police, Ansar and community police will coordinate to manage the Sadarghat area, he said. The minister further said the unfit vessels and ferries have been banned from operating, and all vessels must follow the scheduled timings. Passengers will not be allowed to board mid-river, and repeated violations will be dealt with legally. Besides, patrols will be increased at night to prevent robbery, extortion, and harassment of passengers. At least four Ansar members will be deployed on each launch from the 15th of Ramadan to the third day after Eid. A vigilance team will be formed at each ghat by the district and upazila administration, police, naval police, and coast guard. Minister Rabiul added that a central monitoring team will also oversee the overall situation. Rescue vessels will be on standby, and the fire service and civil defence at key river ports have been instructed to remain alert. Floating naval fire stations will be set up if necessary. Eddy areas at the mouths of the Meghna and Dakatia rivers in Chandpur will be marked, and navigable channels on other rivers will be clearly indicated.  "Necessary excavation, pontoons and wharf improvements will be undertaken to keep all river routes operational," he said. Special facilities for women, children and disabled passengers—including drinking water, sanitation, mobile charging points and breastfeeding corners—will be provided at river ports and terminals. All river ports, including Sadarghat, will be kept clean, and anti-smoking awareness campaigns will be strengthened. The minister also requested phased leave for garment and knitwear sector workers in Dhaka and Gazipur to prevent sudden passenger surges. BRTC feeder bus services will be arranged to transport passengers from launches and ferry piers to the country’s interior. Shaikh Rabiul Alam emphasised that no irregularities or disorder will be tolerated during the Eid journey. Passengers are urged to contact the national emergency service 999 or the BIWTA hotline 16113 in case of emergencies. The meeting was attended by state ministers, secretaries, senior officials, heads of subordinate departments, district administration representatives, and officials from the Bangladesh Police, Coast Guard, Naval Police and Fire Service.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday said the present government is determined to accelerate infrastructural development while preventing wastage in construction works for the sake of the greater interest of the country. “The overall interest must be prioritized by avoiding unethical practices. Everyone must be sincere in preventing waste in construction works. The current government is committed to make infrastructural development and prevent wastage,” he said. The minister made this remark while addressing the closing ceremony of a seven-day induction training course organised for 32 newly recruited officers of the 44th BCS (Roads and Highways) cadre at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Division in the city. 'Not all collections in the road transport sector is extortion': Roads, Railways and Shipping Minister Congratulating the newly appointed officials, Shaikh Rabiul Alam asked them to fully engage themselves in their professional responsibilities soon after completing the training. “The state has developed you as engineers to serve its needs—this realisation must always remain in your minds,” he said. State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Habibur Rashid emphasised ensuring road safety to keep Bangladesh secure. “The closure of a single road causes immense suffering to tens of thousands of people. So, it needs to ensure uninterrupted traffic movement, maintain reasonable construction costs and guarantee safe infrastructure,” he said. Habibur Rashid expressed optimism that through the combined efforts of both new and senior officials, a safe and humane Bangladesh would be built under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Local people stage demo over alleged irregularities in road construction in Faridpur Another State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Md. Razib Ahsan also congratulated the new officers, expressing optimism that they would serve the country with their talent and professional competence. Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque presided over the closing ceremony attended, among others, by Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Syed Moinul Hasan and Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited Faruk Ahmed, said a PID handout.