Owners have 3 months for dilapidated vehicles' facelift
The government yesterday asked the owners of commercial vehicles that ply the streets of the capital to repaint them within three months.
“Many dilapidated, battered and faulty buses, minibuses and other modes of public transport are plying the city roads affecting its beauty,” Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said after a meeting at Rail Bhaban, reports UNB.
The discussion was held on easing traffic congestion in the capital and beautification of passenger vehicles.
In reply to a query, he said a city must have 20-25 percent of its area for roads as per the normal international standard.
“But Dhaka city has only eight percent of its area for roads according to the data of Dhaka City Corporation,” the minister said, adding that the existing roads could not be utilised properly.
He underscored the need for building the capacity of transport management through concerted efforts of all to ease the chronic traffic congestion in the city.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Road Division Secretary MAN Siddique, BRTA Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan, DMP commissioner and representatives from Bangladesh Cricket Board, Bangladesh Bank, transport owners' associations and workers' federations were present at the meeting.
BSS adds: Quader said 4,000 air-conditioned vehicles would be imported for Dhaka. "The government will approve the import of 2,000 good-looking AC buses and 2,000 AC taxi for Dhaka city soon," he said.
Regarding the facelift of vehicles, the minister urged all banks to come forward with financial assistances like loan facilities for the transport owners.
"We have a plan to set up two bus parking areas at Phulbaria and Mirpur in the capital," Quader added.
Replying to a query, the minister said Malaysia was expected to submit a formal proposal on the construction of Padma bridge today.
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