Road safety recommendations remain unfulfilled
Three years have gone by since distinguished journalist and columnist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury was killed in a road accident at the Karwan Bazar intersection, but little has been done to make the intersection safe for pedestrians and commuters alike.
Former chief editor and managing director of the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) was going to the ATN Bangla office in Karwan Bazar on a bus to join a talk show on November 29, 2014. As he was getting off the bus, it recklessly pulled away before he could disembark safely.
Following a public outrage, the government then formed a five-member probe committee that made a 15-point recommendation, including ensuring adequate bus stops and strict monitoring of traffic by law enforcers.
“None of our recommendations have been fulfilled,” said Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bangla daily Bhorer Kagoj, who was a member of the committee.
Talking to The Daily Star over the phone yesterday, he said the report was submitted to road transport and bridges ministry but no initiatives have been taken so far.
“The culture of impunity makes drivers more reckless,” he said, adding that the Karwan Bazar intersection is still dangerous for commuters.
The probe report observed that reckless driving and negligence of duties by the police and doctors were responsible for the untimely death of Zaglul Ahmed.
The report said that the driver and helper of the bus forced him to get down at Sonargaon intersection which is not a bus stop. As soon as he put his foot on the road, the driver hit the gear abruptly. He fell and was seriously injured as a result, the report added.
A commemorative meeting will be held on Zaglul Ahmed's third death anniversary at the VIP lounge of Jatiya Press Club today at 3:00pm.
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