Editorial
BRTA in dire need of reform
TIB reports unravels depth of corruption and incompetence
A TIB study has led to some disturbing revelations regarding corruption and irregularities that the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA) is now saddled with. The findings are highly relevant as the road transport sector is performing well below the desired level. Problems like traffic congestion in urban areas, environmental pollution caused by worn-out vehicles and an unusually high number of road accidents persist, year after year.
It is really disquieting to learn that 61 percent of the driving licenses were obtained without the driver having to go through any kind of test! No less worrying is the news that 54 percent of the drivers have licenses the validity of which has expired. We are further informed that bribing does the trick whenever the drivers fail to meet the legal requirements, and the amounts of money that they have to pay varies according to the nature and extent of the violation of rules.
Obviously, it is the people in general who have to bear the brunt of it all. There are thousands of vehicles in the streets which should have been scrapped long ago. Yet, the corrupt BRTA system keeps them going as fitness certificates can be obtained so easily. The result is pollution and a higher risk of accident. The situation of course becomes critical when these ramshackle vehicles are driven by drivers with fake or no license. So, corruption at the BRTA is making the roads extremely unsafe and is also contributing to environmental pollution.
Moreover, the owners of vehicles have to bribe the BRTA officials at almost every step while applying for route permits or any other necessary document. The situation does not improve once the vehicles start moving on the roads. Now, it is the turn of the traffic police to make the most out of accidents or any violation of rules. Bribing appears to be the panacea for whatever problem the vehicles face while operating.
The TIB has also pointed out some limitations of the BRTA officials who, according to the study, are overburdened. The policy makers should take note of it and decide making the changes that will help the BRTA attain the needed level of efficiency in both client service and regulation of motor vehicles.
Enforcement of traffic rules and ensuring discipline on the roads will ever remain an elusive goal if the BRTA continues to perform dismally. We hope the government will form a high-powered committee, as pledged by the communications minister, to get at the bottom of BRTA corruption and anomalies with a view to making it a modernised and competent road transport management agency.
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