Noman Mosharef :
The long waiting for getting driving licenses is going to an end. The activities of issuing driving licenses to the applicants have started after being closed for almost two years due to reportedly tender complications.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has launched a ‘special service week’ ahead of ‘Mujib 100’. On the first day of the special service week on Sunday, BRTA has started biometric registration at Gazipur, Narayanganj and Manikganj. Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader has formally inaugurated the programme by a virtual conference.
Obaidul Quader said that all the achievements of BRTA have been shattered as it failed to issue driving licenses in the last two years. The sufferings of the persons who have qualified in the driving tests even one year ago mounted. About 15 lakh applications have been submitted at the BRTA.
BRTA is observing the special service week from February 28 to March 4 on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The road transport minister said that the work of issuing licenses at the divisional level would start within the next few days. He asked the licensing company (vendor) to work with maximum professionalism.
The tender for providing 40 lakh ‘Dual Interface Polycarbonate Smart Card’ has got an Indian company Madras Security Printers Pvt Ltd.
On July 29 last year, BRTA signed an agreement with the company for the project worth Tk 120 crore. Seven months later, the printing of the license began. Earlier, in 2016, Tiger IT got the tender of issuing 15 lakh licenses in five years.
The applications for driving licenses have been increased after a nationwide students movement in August 2016 demanding safe roads.
Obaidul Quader said that the sufferings for getting BRTA services are yet to remain. There is still oppression from brokers. The middlemen have friendships and contacts with some BRTA officials and employees.
However, the tyranny of the brokers has declined following the use of technology. If the scope of digital services is increased, corruption and irregularities will be reduced to a lot. BRTA officials need to stop political lobbying for transfers and promotions. Otherwise, departmental action will be taken against them, he added.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges instructed the Divisional Commissioners to conduct mobile courts to stop irregularities on the roads. Unfit and reckless cars should be stopped. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam and other senior officials attended the inaugural function.
Nur Mohammad Mazumder, Chairman of the BRTA, said the license issue has been resolved. Applicants do not have to suffer anymore. He is hopeful that the activity of issuing licenses in all circles will start in phases. It will be possible to issue licenses to the applicants on the scheduled date.
