Special Police Drive to Send Rickety Bus, Vehicles Off Road
Representational Image. Collected.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is set to launch a special operation against vehicles that have exceeded their economic life or are deemed risky and unfit for the roads.
Such a long due initiative was announced in a public notice by the Acting Commissioner of DMP, Md. Sarwar, with the goal of ensuring safe and smooth movement for the public.
The notice said many old, dilapidated, and hazardous buses, minibuses, and freight vehicles are currently plying on city roads. These vehicles frequently break down on roads, flyovers, and bridges, causing long traffic jams and significant public suffering. Furthermore, they pose a serious threat to road safety.
In response to this situation, the DMP has decided to conduct a special crackdown on all types of vehicles in the Dhaka Metropolitan area that have passed their economic lifespan. This operation will target expired buses, minibuses, trucks, covered vans, and other freight vehicles.
The notice mentions that according to a notification issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on May 17, 2023, the economic life of buses and minibuses is fixed at 20 years, while trucks, covered vans, and other freight vehicles have a limit of 25 years. The DMP has urged owners and drivers not to operate vehicles in the capital that have exceeded these timeframes.
The authorities also warned that strict legal action will be taken against those operating hazardous and unfit vehicles beyond the prescribed limits. This includes fines, sending vehicles to dumping grounds, and other punitive measures.
The DMP stated that the operation will be conducted jointly by Special Metropolitan Magistrates and the Traffic Police. Surveillance will be intensified at various important roads and entry points of the capital. The DMP has sought full cooperation from vehicle owners, drivers, transport stakeholders, and city residents. The department believes that controlling expired vehicles will reduce traffic congestion and significantly improve road safety in the capital.
