The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) plays a significant role in regulating the country’s transportation system and ensuring road safety. However, for years, the institution has been plagued by prevalent corruption, undermining its core mission and eroding public trust. The widespread practice of bribery in BRTA offices, particularly in Dhaka’s metro circles, has made a key barrier for people seeking essential services like driving licence renewals, vehicle fitness certificates and ownership transfers. This systemic issue demands urgent and comprehensive reform.
Reports from ‘Bangladesh Post’ have revealed the extent of bribery within BRTA’s operations, in particular, at Metro Circle-1 in Mirpur, one of the busiest offices in the capital. Service seekers, many of whom are unaware of the corruption, are forced to pay extra money as bribe to process their applications for basic services. The corruption’s network apparently involves not only BRTA officials but also brokers, Ansar personnel and employees of CNS (BRTA’s IT provider). Allegations suggest that a hefty amount of money is funneled from the service seekers to higher officials at divisional offices, with bribes often reaching up to Tk 10- Tk 15 lakh per week.
The corrupt practice is not confined to Metro Circle-1. Other offices, like Metro Circle-2 in Keraniganj and Metro Circle-4 in Purbachal, are also reported to be breeding grounds for bribery. Brokers offer ‘packages’ for various services, permitting applicants to bypass official procedures in exchange for hefty bribes. In some cases, even fitness certificates for vehicles that do not meet the necessary safety standard are issued, putting public safety at significant risk. Moreover, the introduction of online applications has done little to reduce corruption, as brokers continue to exploit loopholes in the system.
The existence of corruption in BRTA is a direct result
of weak enforcement. Lack of
answerability and a failure to implement
long-term reforms
The existence of corruption within BRTA is a direct result of weak enforcement. Lack of answerability and a failure to implement long-term reforms. Although BRTA officials have assured the public that measures like frequent raids, CCTV surveillance and the deployment of magistrates are in place to tackle bribery, the effort has proven largely ineffective. Ground-level reports suggest that, even with CCTV cameras, bribery continues unbridled, with many officials failing to carry out their duties during raids. Worse still, some BRTA officials have been accused of purposely switching off their official phone lines to avoid accountability.
The BRTA’s corruption has far-reaching consequences, in particular, for road safety. According to BRTA estimation, above five lakh unfit vehicles are currently operating on the roads. Corrupt practices in the vehicle fitness certification process allow substandard vehicles to remain on the road, while unskilled drivers are able to obtain licences through bribery.
BRTA must undertake a comprehensive renovation to address this systemic issue. Although periodic raids and the transfer of officials may provide short-term relief, actual change will require holding all individuals, from low-ranking clerks to senior officials, responsible for their action. This means implementing a transparent process, enforcing stern anti-corruption policies and ensuring that all complaints are addressed quickly and effectively.
Although the road to reform will not be easy, it is essential for the future of road safety in Bangladesh. Only by eliminating corruption at all stages of BRTA may the institution restore its credibility and fulfill its critical role in safeguarding the nation’s transportation system. Public trust can only be recovered if the BRTA takes decisive steps to root out corruption and operate with the integrity the citizens deserve.
