BRTA suspends registration of bus that plunged into Padma river

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has temporarily suspended the registration of a passenger bus that lost control and plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari, killing at least 26 people.

The order was issued on Friday through a letter signed by BRTA Rajbari Circle Assistant Director (Engineering) Muhammad Ahidur Rahman.

According to the BRTA’s investigation report, the incident occurred on March 25 at around 5:15 PM when the Souhardo Paribahan bus (registration number Rajbari-B-11-0024) lost control while boarding a ferry at ghat no 3 and fell into the river.

Rescue efforts have so far recovered 26 bodies, while five passengers sustained severe injuries.

Following the incident, Motor Vehicle Inspector Liton Kumar Dutta from the BRTA Rajbari Circle visited the site the same evening and submitted a preliminary report.

The suspension has been imposed under Section 24 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, and Rules 46 and 47 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022.

The bus owner has been instructed to appear before the BRTA Rajbari office within three working days with relevant documents, including the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit and the driver’s licence and explain why the registration should not be permanently cancelled.

The notice warns that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated period will result in permanent cancellation of the registration and legal action against the owner.

Copies of the directive have been sent to the BRTA headquarters as well as the district administration and law enforcement authorities.

BRTA Rajbari Circle Assistant Director Muhammad Ahidur Rahman said the decision was taken based on the initial findings of the investigation and further action will depend on the owner’s response to the show-cause notice.

SI/AM