Quader stresses revival of sullied image of BRTA

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FE Report Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has laid importance on reviving the image of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) with a view to restoring discipline to the transport sector. "The image of BRTA as well as the transport sector is not positive among the people," he said while inaugurating a training workshop organised by BRTA for licenced drivers at its headquarters in the capital yesterday (Tuesday). The Communications Minister said a vested interest group had been engaged in damaging the image of the state-owned transport authority since long and emphasised breaking the vicious cycle. "Discipline in the transport sector should have to be restored," the minister said adding that his government was ready to implement any stern action to bring back confidence to the service recipients of BRTA. The Communications Minister said fatal accidents in roads and highways have become a routine affair due to overtaking, overloading and over-speed and called upon the drivers to abide by traffic rules. He warned against giving false documents including fitness certificates as reported in various media and directed transferring BRTA officials who have been working at a desk for long. BRTA has organised the two-day training for the licensed drivers aimed at making them aware of traffic rules and traffic system amidst allegations that majority of the helpers become drivers without any basic knowledge about transports and streets, yet they get licences. BRTA officials said as part of the training, experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, law enforcement agencies and BRTA will train these drivers on reducing the number of accidents, and chaos on roads as they often break rules. They said the drivers have been selected for the workshop after persuading the transport owners and leaders to give them two days' off. In the first batch of the workshop, 50 licensed drivers are taking part. A total of 25 batches will be imparted training throughout the country in the next three months.