Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday expressed dissatisfaction at they way Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is currently operating and blamed its depot managers for the dismal state.
“Fund crisis is also crippling the institution (BRTC),” he said during a meeting with BRTC officials at their Motijheel office on Monday. The minister further said allegations of corruption and irregularities are there against all the 21 BRTC depot managers particularly that of Kalynapur BRTC bus depot Moniruzzaman.
Quader said they are accused of using old parts and tires in BRTC buses but placing bills for brand new ones.
The minister ordered BRTC chairman Md Mizanur Rahman to take necessary steps against Moniruzzaman, or else, an investigation will be launched by the Anti Corruption Commission.
Several other allegations, such as operating dirty vehicles, buses having no headlight, ignoring female passengers and misbehaving with them have also been brought to the notice of Obaidul Quader.
The minister, however, said he was not aware of the extent of financial crisis of the state-run BRTC.
About BRTC bus services on long routes, Quader said resistance from private transport owners is disabling their operations. The minister also pledged to press into service new BRTC buses on routes having schools and colleges alongside, and also on other routes. He said the new buses will be procured from India under the letter of credit (LoC) programmes. The minister said 500 trucks, 600 buses, 300 double-decker buses and 200 buses for city and inter-district services will be imported from the neighbouring country.
