DMP chief admits failure to restore order on roads
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia on Thursday admitted that the DMP and other authorities concerned have failed to ensure discipline on roads in the capital, reports UNB.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting, he also said the bus of Suprabhat Paribahan which killed a student of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) was operating in the city without route permits.
"The death of a meritorious student, Abrar, has demonstrated that we couldn't ensure discipline on the roads. It's a failure of all of us. No one of us can avoid the responsibility. We don't want such accident to occur," the DMP commissioner said.
He also said such a tragic accident would not have taken place had all concerned performed their responsibilities with sincerity.
Traffic East Division of DMP arranged the programme on traffic discipline and awareness at Mohanagar Natya Mancha.
Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury, a student of Bangladesh University of Professionals, died in front of Bashundhara Gate on Tuesday morning after being hit by a bus, prompting students to wage a fresh movement for safe road.
Asaduzzaman said the bus owners' current system of daily contract with drivers and their helpers is one of the main reasons behind the road accidents. "No owner can hand over their vehicles to divers based on such daily contractual system."
He also said they will take effective steps so that unfit and model-out vehicles cannot run in the city. "We'll intensify our drive against the unfit vehicles.
The DMP chief said Suprabhat Paribahan's bus had the permission to ply on Dhaka-Brahmanbaria Highway, but the vehicle owners operated it in Dhaka illegally.
He said police filed 27 lawsuits against the bus for violating the traffic rules.
The DMP commissioner also said the route permits of one Suprabhat and two Jabal-e-Noor Paribahan buses have already been cancelled. "The two companies have been asked to submit all the legal and fitness-related documents of their vehicles to the authorities concerned."
Asaduzzaman Mia said only the buses that have proper fitness and other legal documents will be allowed to ply Dhaka's roads.
He urged demonstrating students not to block the roads as it causes sufferings to millions of people. "Be responsible, and you please go back to class and concentrate on our work. We've arrested the driver and seized the bus."
The DMP commissioner said maximum punishment of the Suprobhat Paribahan bus driver can be ensured since the accident took place over the zebra crossings.