In a major move to enhance road safety and curb traffic violations, the government has decided to install GPS tracking systems in all public transport vehicles across the country.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced the decision on Sunday (March 29) while briefing reporters following a high-level meeting at the Secretariat.
The session, held at the Road Transport and Highways Division, focused on strengthening government initiatives to prevent accidents and bolster overall security on national highways.
"The government has decided to implement GPS systems in all public transport," the Minister stated. "Action will be taken immediately if any vehicle exceeds the speed limit of 80 km/h on the highways."
Reflection on Eid Travels
Addressing concerns regarding congestion and accidents during the recent Eid holidays, the Minister maintained that the overall journey for commuters was "smooth," considering nearly 15 million people attempted to leave Dhaka within a three-day window.
"We are deeply saddened by the few unfortunate accidents that occurred; the entire nation is grieved. No one wants even a single 'departure' of life," he said.
However, he noted a significant improvement in traffic management compared to previous years, where passengers often spent entire days stranded on the road. "We believe that more people than ever before were able to return home safely and with comfort."
Accountability and Enforcement
When questioned about who bears responsibility for the recent tragedies, the Minister emphasized that legal and departmental actions are already underway.
"I don't want to blame anyone specifically, but we have formed inquiry committees. We have already taken action against those found negligent at the primary stage," Alam said.
He cited the recent suspension and arrest of two railway guards and the dismissal of a sub-assistant engineer as examples of the government’s "zero-tolerance" approach toward negligence.
The Minister also addressed the recent incident involving a Souhardya Paribahan bus that plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal. "We have demanded an explanation. If it is not satisfactory, the registration and route permits for the entire company—not just that single bus—will be cancelled," he warned.
Disparity in Casualty Figures
The Minister also contested casualty statistics provided by various private organizations. Providing official data compiled by the BRTA and Roads and Highways Authority, he stated that the total death toll across road, rail, and waterways stands at 170 for the period.
According to his report:
"Last year, 187 people died in 11 days. I don't want to justify these figures through comparison, as no death is acceptable," the Minister concluded. "But it would be incorrect to say we haven't controlled the situation. Numbers are lower than before, and we are working to reduce them even further—which is exactly why we held today's meeting."
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