Govt to bring buses, trucks under central monitoring with GPS trackers: Minister

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said GPS trackers will be installed in all buses, trucks and covered vans to ensure discipline in transport movement, with authorities set to monitor vehicles centrally.

Speaking to journalists today (29 March) after a meeting at the Secretariat, the minister said the system would allow the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and police to track the location, speed and routes of vehicles in real time.

The meeting focused on strengthening government measures to prevent road accidents and improve overall road safety.

Rabiul Alam said the initiative had been taken to bring order to transport operations, although he did not specify a timeline for its implementation.

He also described people's journey during the Eid holidays as "smooth", despite some incidents.

"Two major accidents occurred. Other than that, the usual scenarios – gridlocks, people waiting for hours, or being unable to go home due to a lack of vehicles and spending Eid day on the road – existed before. We believe that people were able to return home more safely and comfortably than at any other time. Although I am saying that two or three accidents have pained and saddened us," he said.

The minister added, "I believe the Eid journey was smooth. Because 1.5 crore people wanted to leave Dhaka within three days, a couple of unwanted accidents happened, for which we are sorry, the nation is sorry, the nation is aggrieved and shocked. No one wants the departure of even a single life."

The minister expressed disagreement with casualty figures provided by private organisations, saying official data showed a lower number of deaths.

"Regarding what has been said about the deceased, I think I will have a disagreement with your statistics. We collect data immediately whenever an accident occurs through BRTA and the Roads and Highways Authority. According to my data, the number of deaths this time in road and waterway accidents is 170. Among them, 47 were on highways, 28 on waterways, and likely 17 on railways," he said.

He noted that 187 people died in accidents over 11 days during Eid last year.

"I do not want to compare using these statistics; no death is desirable, as I said at the beginning. However, it would not be right to say we could not control it; it is under control, it is less than before, and we will reduce it further in the future. That is exactly why today's preparatory and discussion meeting was held," he added.

When asked about responsibility for the accidents, he said action had been taken where involvement was found.

"I do not want to hold anyone specifically responsible for the accidents. However, legal and departmental actions have been taken against those whose primary involvement was found through investigation committees – wherever they may be," he said.

Providing an example, the minister said, "Two railway guards have been dismissed and arrested. The sub-assistant engineer, who was their boss and responsible for ensuring those guards were stationed and functioning, has also been terminated from service. That is, action has been taken."

He also said an explanation had been sought from Souhardya Paribahan over a bus that sank in the Padma with passengers at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila.

"If the explanation is not satisfactory, the registration or route permit of not just that bus, but all buses of that company will be cancelled. We have already initiated that process," he said.