Steps taken to ensure hassle-free Eid trips
Says Quader; rules drafted for Uber service
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said his ministry had taken steps to ensure safe and hassle-free journey of people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Three vigilance teams, comprising officials from different departments of the ministry, will work at Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali bus terminals to prevent overcharging, overloading, and public sufferings, he said.
“This year we started Eid preparations before Ramadan. We finalised our work plans taking experience of the previous years into account,” Quader told a views exchange meeting with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's officials at BRTA's head office.
He said foreign tours of his ministry officials were cancelled till Eid, and monitoring teams had already been activated.
Ansar men will be deployed to help police for traffic management in important entry and exit points of Dhaka city, the minister said.
Trucks, lorries, and covered vans will not be allowed to ply the roads three days before Eid, he said. However, trucks and covered vans transporting foods, essentials, drugs, garment products, and fuels will remain outside the ban, he added.
The minister said orders were already given to remove roadside kitchen markets and complete repairing all highways seven days before Eid. Besides, mobile courts will run operation to control unfit and outdated vehicles on highways and unauthorised parking in the city, he added.
BRTA will open a control room for traffic management in coordination with all stakeholders, and it would remain open for seven days starting four days before Eid.
Quader said they had requested the energy ministry to keep all CNG stations open 24 hours for 14 days starting seven days before Eid, and requested the garment factory owners to close and open their factories on different dates.
DRAFT RULES FOR 'UBER'
The minister said a guideline for Uber, a taxi-hailing mobile application, was drafted, and it would be finalised after proper scrutiny. He did not give details of the draft.
Uber launched its service in Dhaka in November last year, promising to bring a change in the commuting experience in the busy city, and has already gained popularity.