Syed Shemul Parvez :
More than 30,000 public transports are active on various routes in the capital city. However, there is no separate terminal to keep a large number of these vehicles. Although the route permits are asked to maintain with all the vehicles at its own responsibility, very few companies have respects for traffic laws.
According to the drivers, there is no specific or designated place for public transports in the city.
At last, we have to park the vehicles on the both sides of the road at night which often leads to the theft at many valuable parts of the vehicles, drivers said.
Even as soon as night falls, the whole Dhaka city becomes a temporary terminal. This causes traffic jams somewhere, extortion at another and theft at few others.
There is no separate permanent terminal for buses, but also for trucks in the capital, they added.
Abul Kashem, Acting President of the Truck Owners Association, said the capital city has become temporary terminal at night.
This causes traffic jams and also occurres many incidents of extortion somewhere. A permanent solution is needed as soon as possible, he added. One victim truck owner Akash Ahmed said, we have to face many troubles when we keep our trucks on the roads side.
Extortions, stealing valuable things and sometimes police also racked the spot and fined Tk 2500 for keeping vehicles on the roads, he added.
Selim Reza, Chief executive of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), said work is underway to set up a permanent terminal for the public transports including bus-trucks in the capital.ABM Amin Ullah, Chief Executive of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has said that government has taken some effective initiatives to build a modern and peaceful capital under the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA). DTCA is the main government agency which was established on 2 September 2012 and responsible for public transport in the capital city.
This organization was formed with DMP Commissioner along with other highest officials of BRTC and BRTA. This organization arranges monthly meeting for the development of city’s transports, DSCC CEO said.
Besides, the task of four bus terminals will be constructed around the capital in order to make the city safe and traffic jam free.
This will reduce traffic congestion and bring discipline to the public transport services, he said.
Experts also think there is no alternative than ensuring permanent address of public transports (terminals) to build a modern and safe city.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the DSCC and Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Ministry to bring Dhaka’s bus services under six companies.
