BRTA Chairman Dr Md Kamrul Ahsan said the government is working to reinvigorate the road management and transport system of Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Post, he said, ‘The government is trying to introduce world class road management system in Dhaka and other populated cities in order to serve the increasing number of population.”
"Minister for the Ministry of Roads Bridges, Obaidul Qader is firmly committed to bring discipline on road at any cost and he guides us all concerned to act in this regard," he said. The BRTA Chairman replied to a set of queries about the challenges the government facing to ensure road safety.
Some excerpts of the interview is given bellow. Bangladesh Post: We know the BRTA has already started bringing a qualitative change in the road management system, would you please brief us on how you are forwarding the process?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Since my joining the BRTA, since only two months ago, I have already started a flow of changes in the sector. Most of you know that the registration of cars and other vehicles is done mainly in Dhaka and Chattogram. Earlier, the registration and fitness checking took place at the same place, I believe this system caused trouble for people, it was time-consuming as well. After assuming office, I deeply thought that if I could decentralize the service and if it was possible to render the same service from across the country, it would be a smooth process and easy for the people. You know, the BRTA has got its office network across the country, so why should it not render this service from there? I issued a circular, saying that wherever the registration took place, fitness testing service would be provided everywhere. So this decentralization process has contributed significantly in extending services to the people. So now, the heavy rush, once witnessed in Dhaka and Chattogram, is no more.
Suppose a car was registered in Dhaka but plying in Sylhet, the owner earlier had to bring the car back to Dhaka for fitness testing. But now, this is no more needed, because the owner of the car can complete the fitness testing of his car in Sylhet. So I believe that this process has been very effective as it saves time, money and labour of the car owners. Bangladesh Post: Would you please explain how this process may contribute to bringing discipline to the roads?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: You know, from the 1st of November 2019, the Road Transport Act 2018 is being implemented, We had to face some hurdles in enforcing this law, there were some misunderstandings among the transport workers about the law, they called strike, they said that the new act has provision of life imprisonment or financial penalties etc., but this is not true at all.
Rather if you see, you will find that the new act has lessened the punishment. It prescribes highest level of punishment of only 5 years while there are some other facilities for them. Their livelihood security issues have also been ensured, and even the issue of their appointment letter is also there. But they did not understand it properly. We later sat with the leaders of worker organisations, our Ministers concerned held a few meetings with them and got them to understand that the law has been approved by Parliament, so there is no scope of cancellation, or amendment to this law. So, we did not bow to their irrational demands, but rather could come to convince them saying that it is time-befitting and good for all concerned.
But we committed to consider their two issues like extending the time limit for fitness of vehicles upto June 2020, and also assured them to consider exempting fine for unfit vehicles. They have submitted applications in this regard, and we have already sent it to the Finance Division. Another issue is that there are many drivers who drive heavy vehicles, but have license for light vehicles. So, as per their demands, we have assured them to extend the time upto June 2020 do this, but they will have to take new or proper licenses by the said period of time. We suggested they complete their formalities by facing the competency board of BRTA, and if they pass, they will get proper licenses. Bangladesh Post: Do you think that you will be able to successfully implement the new law?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Well, you know the enforcement process of this new act is already going on. Our mobile courts are acting regularly, police forces are also doing their part accordingly, but I must say that there are some challenges in this regard. You know that parking is a big problem, we have already sat with the City Corporations, DTCA, Police Administration and have made moves to improve about 64 parking lots across the city. I hope this will help to address the parking problem. To stop reckless driving on the highways, illegal overtaking, excessive pressure on drivers for driving long hours without rest, we are coordinating with police to rectify the issues. Bangladesh Post: How would you evaluate the role of pedestrians in ensuring road safety?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: I feel that the pedestrians need to be aware about using roads. The honourable Prime Minister attended the Road Safety Day program on October 22nd, where she issued some specific directions which we have been following strictly. We have been publicizing the road safety messages at different spots, especially at the terminals in the city and elsewhere in the country. District Commissioners, and police administration are aware, we are holding meetings with them and also with all other stakeholders to reach the messages of awareness, I believe that expected level of awareness buildup will contribute to ensure road safety smoothly.
You know, we are also going for massive advertisements in the mass media regarding road safety. So, all out moves are going on well. Bangladesh Post: Do you think that the BRTA is properly equipped to maintain the huge work of road management, ensuring road safety and all other matters delegated to the department?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Well, I must say that BRTA is suffering from manpower shortage against the huge work of the of BRTA across the country. Now, the issues of road management, road safety and discipline are huge, so it needs the adequate manpower, proper training and level of skill or experience. Currently, there are 823 posts in the organogram of BRTA where 702 officials are working, so the shortage of manpower poses a bit of a problem in rendering services properly. We have recently placed a demand for an about 2200-man workforce from the Ministry of Public Administration and I hope that the ministry will grant our demand. I believe that after having a well equipped BRTA with necessary manpower, the department will be able to render the expected services.
Bangladesh Post: As we know, in most densely populated cities mainly Dhaka and also Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, we see the roads are narrow, the number of cars or vehicles is excessive, so in such a situation, what innovative idea does the BRTA have to bring discipline and ensure road safety?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Well, you have mentioned rightly that we have small cities, but densely populated. In Dhaka, only 17 to 18 million people live. The road area compared to the population and number of cars is very less, so we have to develop satellite cities immediately, and decentralize some infrastructures elsewhere, only then the pressure on mega cities will come down.
So proper enforcement of law on roads in such a situation is really hard. Pedestrians and passengers lack awareness while drivers are also not abiding by the laws properly. So it is a multifaceted problem, and not one to be solved solely by the BRTA.
Bangladesh Post: How would you evaluate the role of the government in this regard?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Yes, the government is very much cordial, and has taken the issue of ensuring road safety with utmost priority. In our programme on October 22nd, the Prime Minister gave us all the necessary directions in this connection. Our Minister, honorable Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Qader, also reiterated his commitment with regard to bringing discipline back to the roads. We must admit that undoubtedly, there is indiscipline on our roads, so if we succeed in bringing back discipline, we will be able to make the people bound to abide by the laws, then the scenario will get a radical change. You see, when we go abroad, we are bound to abide by laws, but we lose our attitude in honoring laws in Dhaka. So I will say again that it is a combined effort where you, the mass media people, also have a big role. That's why I always attend programmes in media, talk shows etc, because people need to know the reality so that a large number of them can be aware through media publicity.
I believe I am a public servant, I have accountability to the people, so I am self-motivated. People need to have access to the Chairman of BRTA, as they have that right. Bangladesh Post: Now please tell us what other infrastructural shortages you face that impede your activity?
Dr Kamrul Ahsan: Well, thank you for the question. I must say BRTA is a huge organisation, but you see we do not have offices at the District level, we are housed in the DC's office in many districts . So now, we have decided that BRTA will construct multi-purpose buildings at the District level. Where there will be offices, training centers, fitness testing centers etc, under the same roof. The office premises will be on 4 acres of land in every district. The development project proforma (DPP) for Mymensingh is going to be finalized soon and projects for Rangamati, Faridpur, and Noakhali Districts is underway . Later, the idea will be implemented in 17 greater districts, and then in new districts. We also have shortages of transport for our own officers, so these are the logistic constraints we are suffering from, but I hope all the problems will be resolved soon and BRTA will turn into a complete department to meet the growing demands of the sector.