'Tk 16.5m extorted from Dhaka's transport sector every day'

The leaders of Dhaka District Road Transport Workers Union (DDRTWU) on Saturday urged the government to launch drives in the transport sector to stop extortion.

They claimed some owners and leaders extorted millions of taka from Fulbaria, Gulistan, Sayedabad, Mirpur and Mohakhali bus terminals using the name of Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association (DRTOA), forcing honest bus owners to leave the sector.

The allegations came up during a press conference at the National Press Club.

"Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated DDRTWU in 2003. We request the government to conduct drive in transport sector to stop extortion," said DDRTWU joint secretary Mahfuzul Hoque.

He hoped the government's drive against corruption will successfully root out irregularities and extortion from the transport sector.

On 1 October, Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik-Sramik Oikya League (BSPMSOL) leaders urged the government to conduct drives in the transport sector to put an end to corruption and harassment by "godfathers and police".

BSPMSOL secretary Ismail Hossain Bachchu claimed that Tk 16.5 million was extorted from Dhaka's transport sector every day and that DRTOA leaders are involved in it.

The DRTOA leaders on Thursday rejected the allegation, claiming that there was no extortion in the transport sector.