Allegations of bribery, corruption, and syndicate-driven services are now frequently heard in connection with various government institutions. However, such allegations are nothing new when it comes to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
Despite infrastructural improvements in this organization since independence, irregularities and irresponsibility have persisted. Recently, in response to allegations of irregularities—including bribes being exchanged through syndicates for driving licenses and fitness certificates—the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted operations at 35 BRTA offices across the country.
According to media reports, syndicate members were caught red-handed in several offices, along with various irregularities.
Although standard promises are made by the concerned authorities each time such issues are exposed—pledging effective action to prevent their recurrence—there are few instances where exemplary punishment has actually been ensured for the offenders.
A report published in The Daily Ittefaq yesterday stated that 78,000 vehicles are currently operating with fake number plates. The BRTA chairman himself admitted that the documents of nearly 600,000 vehicles across the country are yet to be updated.
This reveals a kind of lawlessness prevailing in the transport sector. There is an urgent need to restore discipline in this sector and ensure that the public can benefit from it. The lack of coordination seen during the implementation of various road plans must also be addressed.
It is true that significant infrastructural development and institutional reform have taken place across the country in recent years, and BRTA has been part of that.
Not only have the exteriors of BRTA buildings improved, but modern technology has also been incorporated into its operations. Yet, why are we still reading such reports about BRTA?
The most serious complaint about BRTA is that it's nearly impossible to obtain government services like driving licenses or fitness certificates without bribes and harassment.
One major problem is the 'middlemen'; due to their overwhelming presence, it's almost impossible to get service at most BRTA offices without going through them. We believe this is why multiple vehicles are able to operate using the same number plate.
Additionally, serious allegations have emerged that fitness certificates are being issued without proper inspection, and even unskilled drivers are being given licenses without any testing. These absurd and dangerous practices must stop.
How does one obtain a license or certificate outside legal channels? How are vehicles with fake number plates allowed to operate on the roads? If such a vehicle is involved in an accident, who will bear the responsibility?
The BRTA chairman has claimed that a list of vehicles operating with fake number plates has already been submitted to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Highway Police. We hope that appropriate action will now be taken against them.
We firmly believe that in the interest of safe travel, all irregularities and mismanagement in the transport sector must be eliminated. Operations at BRTA must be intensified, and surveillance must be increased.
At the same time, traffic and highway police need to remain vigilant. If a vehicle is found operating with a duplicate number plate, immediate legal action must be taken against it.
