To curb highway robbery, police presence to be increased on highways: Adviser

In a bid to control highway robberies during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, Road Transport Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan announced that the number of police deployed on highways would be increased.

"The enhanced police presence would conduct vigilant patrols to prevent such crimes," he said following an inter-ministerial meeting on ensuring safe Eid travel in the capital today.

The adviser also assured that all members of the traffic police would be present on the roads to ensure smooth Eid travel. 

Additionally, the police have developed a new software application that tracks the live locations of their patrol vehicles and measures the distance between the patrol vehicle and any incident site. Furthermore, an extra 700 patrol forces have been deployed to bolster security across highways.

CCTV surveillance at bus terminals

As part of the efforts to ensure safety, CCTV cameras will be installed at four main bus terminals in Dhaka to tackle theft, pickpocketing, and other crimes. The terminals include Gulistan, Fulbaria, Mohakhali, Gabtali, and Saydabad. 

The move aims to enhance law and order and provide better security for commuters during the Eid rush.

Help desk for expatriates at airport

The police also introduced plans to support expatriates returning for Eid by setting up a dedicated help desk at the airport. 

The help desk will record contact information for both the driver and the expatriate, ensuring that the passenger's journey is tracked until they reach their destination safely.

Steps to control ticket blacking, extra fares 

The authorities are also focusing on controlling additional fare charges and black-market ticket sales. 

In response to concerns about inflated bus fares during Eid, the ministry will deploy teams to inspect transport operators and enforce regulations. 

Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, emphasised that extortion on highways would not be tolerated.

To address black market ticket sales, Md Saiful Alam, secretary general of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, assured that no tickets would be sold illegally. A help desk will be set up to receive complaints, and anyone found guilty of selling black market tickets will face immediate action. 

Restrictions on roads 

To mitigate traffic congestion, which is expected to be lower due to phased travel during the extended holidays, certain restrictions will be enforced. Motorcycles, three-wheelers (Nasimons, Karimons) will be banned from the highways, and makeshift markets or stalls will not be allowed along the roads. 

Additionally, the Dhaka Bypass will be temporarily opened to facilitate smoother traffic flow, and the BRT corridor will operate with one-way traffic, he added. 

Speed on Padma Bridge to rise 

The speed limit on the Padma Bridge will also be increased from 60 kilometres per hour to 80 kilometres per hour to ensure smoother traffic flow during Eid. 

Specific speed limit signs will be placed along the highways, and arrangements will be made to swiftly transport accident victims to the nearest hospitals.