Four-way cooperation essential to restore discipline in Dhaka's transport system: Shimul Biswas
Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal chief coordinator and transport leader Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP today said the combined cooperation of journalists, police, transport owners and workers is needed to restore discipline in the capital's road transport system.
"If friendly relations, mutual understanding and a responsible role can be ensured among these four parties, even the impossible can be achieved,” he said, urging everyone to come forward from their own position to end traffic congestion, chaos on the roads and the insecurity of people's lives and property in the capital.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of six bus routes in Dhaka city under the franchise system at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital this morning.
Shimul Biswas mentioned the initiative as good news for Dhaka city, saying "Even amid various wars, crises and adversities, the venture to restore discipline in the capital's transport system will bring fresh hope to city dwellers.”
He continued, “Everyone wants an end to the chaos, unbearable traffic jams and insecurity of people's lives and property in Dhaka. To change the situation, someone must take responsibility and step forward."
Referring to the capital's population, he said, according to a report of the World Urbanization Project of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, about 36.6 million people are currently living in Dhaka.
"This city of nearly 40 million people is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. In a city with such a huge population, establishing discipline in the road transport system is extremely urgent," he said.
“To build a happy, prosperous and developed Bangladesh, discipline must be established in every sector,” he said, adding, “In particular, if discipline can be restored in the transport system of the capital Dhaka, its positive impact will spread to other sectors of the country as well."
He said Dhaka city reflects the overall picture of Bangladesh. "Just as one gets an idea of a person's personality and physical appearance by looking at his face, foreigners also form an impression of Bangladesh by seeing the condition of Dhaka city. When foreign guests see chaos and traffic congestion on the capital's roads on their way from the airport to the Secretariat or a hotel, they return with a negative impression of the whole country.”
He said “This remark is not against any particular transport owner, worker or individual. Rather, it creates their negative assessment of the entire Bangladesh. So, the improvement of the capital's transport system is also deeply linked with the country's image."
Besides the authorities concerned, Shimul Biswas said, the coordinated role of four parties is needed to establish discipline in the road transport sector. "These are transport workers, owners, police and journalists.”
He went on saying, “Nearly seven million transport workers in the country must become responsible. The owners, who have invested in the transport sector, must also come forward to run their businesses by following rules and regulations.
The role of the police, especially the traffic department, is extremely important in maintaining discipline on the roads. At the same time, journalists must also play a role in support of this initiative through responsible and strong writing."
Shimul Biswas said "Everyone wants to see change now. People hope to see the country brought out of chaos into a disciplined system. The ultimate goal of all the country's wars, conflicts and struggles should be to build a safe and developed Bangladesh, free from sorrow, poverty, discrimination and misrule."
He also said although a small number of people benefit from disorder in society, the majority enjoy the benefits of discipline. "So there is no need to tolerate disorder any longer. Everyone in the transport sector must rise above their own interests and come under an orderly system," he said.
He said different governments in the past took initiatives to establish discipline in the transport sector, but those initiatives did not achieve the expected success because of various obstacles and vested quarters were given indulgence.
“This time, however, there are sufficient reasons to be optimistic about change. The Prime Minister has taken a tough stance and has accelerated the initiative for change in accountability and responsibility," he said, extending gratitude to the Prime Minister for this.
Shimul Biswas said this initiative’s benefits must actually reach city dwellers.
Addressing transport owners and workers' leaders, he said they have made important contributions to the development of the country's transport sector.
"Now the time has come to utilise that experience and contribution to build a disciplined transport system. If everyone concerned works sincerely, it will be possible to restore discipline on the capital's roads, and people across the country will enjoy its benefits," he said.
DTCA Executive Director Moshiur Rahman, BRTA Chairman Habibur Rahman, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association President M A Baten and General Secretary Saiful Alam, along with officials concerned of the road transport sector, leaders of owners' and workers' organisations, and journalists were present at the event.
