The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable meeting yesterday urged the government to step up measures so that vehicle owners do not increase transport fare during Eid-ul-Fitr. They also demanded adequate number of bus and train services for reducing the misery of commuters during the holy occasion.

Citizens Rights Movement organised the roundtable on the issue at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.

The rights group also demanded introduction of 1000 more double-decker buses of the government-run BRTC to bring dynamism in the transport system, thus reducing traffic congestion in the city roads.

Chairman of Bangladesh Roads and Transports Corporation (BRTC) Hadaitullah Al-Mamun said all BRTC buses would be roadworthy and will run as "Eid Specials." The inoperative buses of the BRTC are being repaired for the occasion.

Former MP and Chairman of Bangladesh Bus and Truck Owners Association GM Siraj and President of Bangladesh Launch owners' Association Badiuzzaman Badol said no additional fare would be charged on the occasion from the passengers violating the fixed fare rate of the government

The rights group requested launch and bus owners not to raise transport fare, as the lower and lower-middle sections of the society are suffering financially due to price hike of essential commodities.

They asked the Government to form "Inter-district Road Transport Coordinating Council" comprising representatives of the Communication Ministry, BRTA, Traffic Police, transports' owners and workers and civil society.

Former MP Col (Retd) Faruk Khan demanded renovation of footpaths of the city roads for making those suitable for pedestrians to walk.

Besides, Freedom fighter Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, former MP GM Kader, Chairman of Bangladesh Roads and Transports Association (BRTA) ABM Shahjahan, former MP and former Army Chief Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, former MP engineer Kazi Mohammad Sheesh, eminent columnist Abul Muksud, former MP and President of Bangladesh Transport Workers' Federation Shahjahan Khan, Former Secretary of the government Mohiuddin Ahmed and Executive Member of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan Dr Abdul Hai Majumdar, among others, addressed the meeting.

Jasim Uddin, Vice President of the rights group, presided over the meeting, while Tushar Rehman, Secretary General, read out a writen statement