A 24-hour central control room will operate at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Headquarters from May 20 to 31 to ensure safe and congestion-free Eid travel, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has said.
Speaking at a preparatory meeting at the ministry on Monday, the minister said the hub would monitor key highways, prevent overcharging of fares, and coordinate with police, health services, and local administration.
According to a ministry statement, the minister also directed authorities to assign an additional 50 executive magistrates alongside BRTA’s existing 19 executive magistrates to operate mobile courts across the country during Eid.
He also instructed authorities to form special vigilance and monitoring teams at all bus terminals, including Sayedabad, Mohakhali, Gabtoli, and Fulbaria in Dhaka, to prevent excessive fares, carrying extra passengers and goods, and other irregularities.
Rabiul said initiatives had been taken to deploy the required number of Border Guard Bangladesh personnel at key toll plazas and congestion-prone areas from seven days before Eid-ul-Azha until three days after the Eid to control traffic congestion and ensure security.
Law-enforcing agencies and Rover Scout members will also remain deployed, he added.
To reduce public suffering during Eid travel, BRTC will operate special Eid services from Dhaka City to other districts and important destinations across the country.
Additional standby buses will also be kept ready if necessary.
The road transport minister said initiatives had also been taken to adjust Metro Rail headways during peak hours considering passenger pressure.
According to the meeting’s decisions, authorities will install convex blind spot mirrors on accident-prone highways, take special safety measures at black spots and conduct dope tests for drivers to strengthen road safety.
Ten special medical teams from the health department will conduct dope tests on professional drivers.
The minister said, “The government is working with the highest importance to make Eid travel safe, smooth and comfortable.
“All relevant agencies must perform their responsibilities in a coordinated manner to reduce passenger suffering, lower road accidents and ensure an orderly transport system.
“No irregularity or negligence in duty will be tolerated.”
He also warned that if any accident or violation of rules occurs under the jurisdiction of offices and agencies under the Road Transport and Highways Division, departmental action would be taken against the responsible officials and supervising officers following investigation.
“The management of roads is not the sole responsibility of the communications ministry alone,” the minister said.
“Safe Eid travel can only be ensured through coordinated efforts by all relevant agencies, including Highway Police, local administration, BRTA and LGRD. We have no problem taking responsibility, but it must also be understood that everything is not under my sole control.”
The minister told journalists that around 4,500 to 5,000 people die in road accidents every year in Bangladesh.
In 2024, the number stood at 5,384, the highest in recent years.
During the 11 days of last Eid-ul-Fitr, 170 people died in accidents across the country, including 43 on highways.
“Uncontrolled entry points onto highways, battery-run vehicles and direct 90-degree access from smaller roads to highways are major causes of accidents,” he said.
“With World Bank support, work has started under the road safety programme to convert these connections into a left-lane system.”
