Quader urges homegoers to maintain health guidelines during Eid journey

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has warned the people that their Eid journey might turn into a funeral procession if they do not observe hygiene rules and show utmost awareness amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The minister said this while addressing through video conference an Eid preparation meeting held at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) headquarters on Monday with stakeholders concerned to ensure a smooth Eid journey during the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.

He said a task force comprising representatives from all stakeholders including law enforcement agencies, owners-workers, city corporations, and the BRTA will be working at all bus terminals in the Dhaka Metropolitan area.

In addition, the BRTA's mobile court will be proactive in taking immediate action if any allegations are found, he added.

In the meeting chaired by Nazrul Islam, secretary to the Department of Road Transport and Highways, it was said that long-distance buses and minibuses would operate maintaining the hygiene guidelines, leaving half the seats vacant during the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.

Minister Quader said the highways in the country are now in better condition than ever before.

He directed the roads and highways department to keep the mobile road repair team ready at all times to repair the roads damaged by heavy rains and the BRTC to keep the required number of buses ready at important road estuaries to tackle the excess pressure of passengers.

He said heavy traffic on the highways would be closed from three days before the Eid. However, emergency services, essential commodities, perishable goods, sacrificial animals, fuel, medicine, relief, newspapers and export vehicles will be exempt from the restriction.