Going tough against unfit vehicles

We appreciate the road transport and bridges minister's recent criticism of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and police authorities for their failure to reduce the number of unfit vehicles on the streets.

The prevalence of unfit vehicles on roads has been a long standing problem. In recent times, there have been several deadly incidents involving unfit vehicles and unqualified drivers. These transports also increase the congestion and tailbacks on highways.

No transport is supposed to be on the road without having a fitness certificate, but according to one estimate, as many as 75 percent vehicles plying the roads are faulty to an extent. Then how come so many vehicles continue to operate without fitness certificates for so long?

The police sometimes carry out drives against these vehicles, which cause a temporary discontinuation. Once the drive is over, however, the vehicles return to the streets. In fact, many reports have found unscrupulous public officials being complicit in allowing these vehicles to operate.

As the problem goes deep, mere criticism is not going to solve the problem. The ministry needs to take proactive measures against unfit vehicles including increasing the testing capacity of BRTA, conducting continuous and random drives, imposing harsh penalties, and demolition of vehicles not fit to be on the road.