Quader warns against taking extra fare

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday urged transport owners and workers not to realise additional fare from the homebound passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

He came up with call while speaking at a press conference at his Secretariat office here.

Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, warned that if the transport owners and workers charge extra fare from the homebound passengers, action will be taken against them, reports BSS.

He said since the Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching, all the necessary preparations have been taken to ensure smooth movement of the people as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Claiming that the condition of the country's roads and highways is better than that of any time in the past, the road transport minister said necessary instructions have already been given to remain alert at field level so that the homebound passengers do not face any suffering on the roads during the Eid.

He sought cooperation from all the stakeholders concerned, including transport owners and workers, to ensure safety and discipline on the roads and highways.

Noting that taskforces formed involving members of different law enforcing agencies will be deployed at the city's bus terminals, Quader said mobile courts will conduct drives at the terminals to check charging extra bus fares from the passengers.

He asked the highway police, district police, district administrations, ansar, local administration and others concerned to play responsible role in ensuring smooth movement of vehicles at the exit and entry points of cities and traffic congestion-prone intersections.

The minister called upon the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to give the leaves of their factory workers in phases to avoid the additional pressure of passengers on the roads ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.