Govt to Take Action against Transports Violating Guidelines: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today warned that the government will take legal action against public transport that does not meet safety standards and will make extra fares from passengers amid coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

"Most of the transports follow the health guidelines, but there are allegations that some do not follow the health guidelines and charge extra fares. Legal action will be taken against transports that violate the government's instructions, "he said.

He made the warning while talking to officials of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) through videoconferencing from his official residence here.

Quader, also General Secretary of the Awami League, said that the government is initiating a project to build six metro rail routes to relieve traffic congestion in Dhaka and its neighboring areas by 2030.

As a priority project of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, about 45 percent works of the metro rail route-6 has already been completed.

The road transport and bridges minister instructed the project officials to bring pace in the ongoing works of the project following the health guidelines.

Stressing the need for paying salaries and arrears of the workers of the metro rail project, he said the construction works of one train have already completed in Japan, while the works of building four more trains are underway.

Quader said the Sheikh Hasina-led government is working tirelessly to overcome the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

He urged all to develop a 'fort of consciousness' against coronavirus in their homes and workplaces, following health guidelines and keeping social distances.

Blaming a political party without maintaining its name, the AL General Secretary said that the party is trying to reap the rewards of the current crisis.

DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique and his senior officials attended a meeting here at the Eskaton office of DMTCL.

Source: BSS