DMP warns of strict action against unfit buses during Eid travel

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken extensive security and traffic management measures to ensure smooth travel from the capital to different districts across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

DMP Commissioner (Acting) Md Sarwar has banned the operation of unfit or dilapidated buses during the Eid travel period. He warned that immediate action would be taken if any transport owner or worker puts such buses on the roads.

He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking as a special guest at a discussion meeting with transport owners and workers titled "Exchange of views to ensure smooth and extortion-free Eid travel" at a major bus terminal in the capital.

Addressing transport owners and workers, he said a single broken-down bus can cause long traffic congestion on highways. Therefore, under no circumstances will defective or unfit buses be allowed to operate.

He also said carrying passengers on bus rooftops, reckless driving and allowing sick or unfit drivers to operate vehicles have been strictly prohibited. To facilitate passengers, help desks will be set up at bus terminals, where fare charts and schedules must be displayed. Immediate action will be taken if complaints of overcharging, ticket black marketing or passenger harassment are received.

To strengthen security during the Eid rush, around 800 to 900 additional traffic police members will be deployed at bus terminals, launch terminals and railway stations, the DMP commissioner said. 

He further said that plainclothes police, the Detective Branch (DB), Counter Terrorism Unit, SWAT team and dog squads will also perform duties at different terminals. Magistrate teams will remain in the field to ensure enforcement of laws.