HC issues rule on installation of fire extinguisher in vehicles
The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why directives would not be given to install fire extinguishing system in all types of public and private vehicles.
Besides, the rule also sought explanation as to why directives would not be given to make fire extinguishing system mandatory while giving route permit of the bus and minibus.
The HC bench of justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the rule following a writ petition filed in the form of public interest litigation.
Secretaries to the road transport and highways division and home ministry, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), director general of fire service and civil defence and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rules.
Syed Misbahul Anwar stood for the writ petitioner and deputy attorney general barrister ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar for the state.
Lawyer Abul Barakat Mohammad Sazzad and Al Bari Sohel filed the writ with reports of different newspapers on fire incidents of vehicles.
According to the reports, a fire broke out in Nur-A Makkah bus in Basundhara residential area on 29 March. On 10 February 2018, a fire broke out in a bus in Banani area. At least eight people were injured as a fire broke out in Gabtoli-bound 7 no bus in Dhanmondi from gas line on 20 February. On 5 January 2018, a fire broke out at Raida Paribahan bus in Farmgate area following gas balloon explosion which left 12 passengers injured. Besides, at least 15 people were injured following a fire at a BRTC double decker bus in Savar on 24 June 2017.
The lawyers said that around 250,000 CNG-run vehicles are plying roads without any test of gas cylinder from which fire incidents may occur any time.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) issued an order on 2 March 2017 for using fire extinguishing system in vehicles as per Motor Vehicles Ordinances 1983 during route permit of bus and minibus. But there is no implementation of the order, said the lawyers.