The bus accident that occurred on March 25 at Daulatdia ferry terminal has once again shaken our national conscience. What was supposed to be a routine and comfortable journey turned into a tragedy in an instant. During this Eid season, several other accidents have also taken place across the country, resulting in many casualties.
Following the Daulatdia incident, the familiar question arises again: where is the end to such negligence-induced deaths? Why does the procession of road accidents in the country grow longer during festive seasons, especially around Eid?
In searching for answers, we find that the roots of the problem are multifaceted. At its core lie mismanagement, lack of accountability, and weak enforcement of laws—along with carelessness, unawareness, and negligence.
Video footage of the Daulatdia incident clearly shows the driver rushing to board the ferry, causing the bus—with passengers on board—to plunge into the water. Could such reckless mentality be a major factor behind the rising number of accidents?
Vehicle owners sometimes hand over the steering wheel to drivers who lack both a valid license and proper training. Even mandatory requirements such as adequate rest for drivers and routine health checks are often ignored.
During Eid, the pressure of homebound travelers increases dramatically, and this creates an opportunity for disorder in the transport sector. Unfit vehicles are put on the roads, and excessive passengers are carried.
As a result, there is a severe lack of discipline, especially at critical junctions like ferry terminals. Passenger safety often takes a back seat to the pursuit of quick profits. What happens then? Even a minor lapse can instantly turn into a fatal disaster.
Road accidents are not solely the fault of drivers; rather, they reflect a collective failure. Lack of proper oversight by the authorities, lax enforcement of laws, irresponsibility of transport owners, and lack of awareness among passengers—all contribute to this dire situation.
Every year we witness the same scenes and hear the same messages of grief, yet we see no lasting, effective measures for change.
To overcome this deadly situation, strict and practical steps are necessary. First, the fitness of all vehicles operating on roads and waterways must be ensured, with a zero-tolerance policy against unfit vehicles.
Second, the process of driver training and licensing must be made more transparent and rigorous, with attention to their health conditions. Third, well-planned management is needed to handle the surge of passengers during special occasions like Eid, so that travelers can reach their destinations safely and in an orderly manner.
At the same time, law enforcement agencies must play a more active and accountable role. Unless exemplary punishment is ensured for those responsible after accidents, this culture of negligence will never end.
In most cases, these are “deaths caused by direct negligence,” which are tantamount to “manslaughter.” Therefore, raising public awareness is equally important. Alongside drivers and vehicle owners, passengers must also be conscious of their own safety and speak out against irregularities.
We must always remember that every life is invaluable. Therefore, the loss of even a single life due to negligence or mismanagement is unacceptable. We have made significant infrastructural progress—countless roads and highways have been built, bringing the entire country under a network of connectivity.
Yet if the joy of Eid continues to turn into grief in this way, then such claims of development and progress become meaningless. This Eid too, much blood has been shed on roads, railways, and waterways—something that is entirely undesirable. In such circumstances, unless we can build a safe transportation system based on responsibility, discipline, and humanity, this question will continue to haunt us.
