Road Transport Act amendment move just a ‘rumour’, claims Quader

Terming the government move to amend the Road Transport Act-2018 a rumour, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said no such initiative has been taken yet.

"The ministry knows nothing about any amendment to the law. However, I found that the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed its concern," he said.

The minister said this while talking to reporters after inspecting the progress of an underpass construction project in front of Shahid Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College on Airport Road.

Talking about corruption by BNP leaders, he said the whitepaper will be published on the illegal assets of the BNP leaders they acquired when the party was in power.

Responding to a question about the arrest of Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, leader of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo League, Obaidul Quader said, "The statement made by the Home Minister in this regard is appropriate. He is the only one who has the right to talk about it."

Commenting on the tragic death of two students of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College in a road crash, Quader said, "The army is implementing their project maintaining the international standard. The work will end in December this year, six months ahead of the schedule. "

On July 27, two students of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College were killed in a road accident that sparked off a safe road movement across the country. Later, the Prime Minister ordered construction of an underpass there.

Construction work on the project began on November 27 last year.

On September 25, Law Minister AnisulHuq said the Road Transport Act-2018 could be amended, if needed, so that it could be enforced without any hindrance.

"Although the Road Transport Act-2018 was passed by parliament, its enforcement has not been possible due to various demands raised by leaders of transport workers and owners. The law could be amended reviewing the enforcement of such laws in neighbouring countries," the minister said.

He came up with the information at a meeting of the sub-committee on the implementation of Road Transport Act at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Road Transport Bill, 2018 was passed by parliament on September 19, 2018 keeping a provision of maximum five years' imprisonment and Tk 5 lakh fine or both for causing severe injuries to or any death of any person due to reckless driving.