Chandpur Times Top Newspaper in Chandpur
Action will be taken against transport if hygiene rules break: Quader.Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has warned that action will be taken against public transport that violates the health regulations to prevent the coronavirus epidemic.
The Awami League general secretary said this at a press conference at his official residence in the National parliament House area on Saturday noon,May 30.
Highlighting the conditions of public transport, Obaidul Quader said that 50 percent passengers can be transported in buses, that is, half the seats should be left vacant. Social distance rules have to be followed while picking up and dropping off passengers. Passengers, workers, drivers, driver’s assistants, counter workers all have to wear masks.
He said hand sanitizers and soap and water for hand washing should be provided at the terminals and stations. Disinfectant should be sprayed before and after disembarking passengers on the bus. Buses cannot be stopped without authorized stops, passengers cannot be picked up and dropped off.
Obaidul Quader said that road transport will start running on Monday. “We have talked to transport owners and workers’ organizations and concerned stakeholders,” he said.
Everyone has agreed to strictly follow the hygiene rules in public transport. We all want to be good together. Simply ignoring it can lead to terrible dangers.
‘Therefore, I request the passenger general, employers and workers’ organizations to fulfill all the conditions given by the BRTA and the ministry in their own interest,” he said. Action will be taken against those transports that fail to comply with government guidelines.’
The road minister called for the formation of a terminal-based monitoring team and counseling to ensure that the hygiene rules are followed properly.
‘We don’t want transport or terminals to become centers of transmission,” he said. I urge the authorities at the terminals to carry out a clean-up operation throughout the area.’
‘Apart from this, government surveillance including BRTA mobile team will also be effective’, he said.
While acknowledging the deteriorating transition situation in Bangladesh, the minister said the need to save the economy was the reason for launching public transport. Many are worried that difficult times are ahead. In this difficult situation many countries in the world have relaxed the lockdown despite the worse situation than us, some have picked up.
The Awami League general secretary urged the leaders and activists of the opposition parties to extend their hand of cooperation without criticizing the coronavirus crisis.
He said, ‘We have to have confidence in the decision taken by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at this difficult time. Extend the hand of cooperation without pouring criticism. There is no reason to despair.’
‘We have and will continue to have political differences, but everyone must remember that Corona is the common enemy of all of us. At this point, the politics of division will serve as Corona’s best friend in the Corona transition.’
Dhaka Bureau Chief, May 30,2020
