PM to inaugurate compensation scheme for road crash victims on Oct 22

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the compensation programme for the road accident victims on October 22, which is also the National Road Safety Day.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters about the development at the Secretariat today.

The families of 243 victims claimed compensation till August 17, BRTA officials said.

According to the newly formulated rules of the Road Transport Act- 2018, the family of a person killed in a road crash due to reckless or negligent driving will get at least Tk 5 lakh in compensation.

Those who lose a limb or suffer other forms of life-changing injuries will get Tk 3 lakh each, while the victims who are likely to recover from injuries and return to normal life will get Tk 1 lakh.

Compensation claims will be settled by a 12-member trustee board, which will be able to raise or lower the amount from time to time upon approval from the government.

The authorities issued a gazette on the rules on December 27, more than four years after the enactment of the act in September 2018.

The Road Transport Act was passed by lawmakers following demonstrations for safer roads across the country in July and August of 2018.

But the law was not put into effect until November 2019 allegedly due to pressure from transport associations.

The prime minister will also inaugurate 140 bridges and 12 overpasses built under the Roads and Highways Department on October 22.