The Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB) has called for urgent measures to prevent robberies, snatchings, road accidents, and traffic congestion during the upcoming Eid holiday travel rush. Highlighting the challenges faced by millions of travelers, PWAB emphasised the need for effective planning and coordination among authorities to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.
Speaking at a discussion titled "Preventing Robbery, Snatching, Road Accidents, and Traffic Congestion During Eid Journey," held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity’s CRAB Auditorium, PWAB Secretary-General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury urged the government and stakeholders to address the severe shortage of public transport and safety concerns. He called for timely disbursement of salaries and bonuses to garment workers by 24 March, allowing them to travel in phases and reduce pressure on transport systems.
According to PWAB, nearly 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka and surrounding districts for their hometowns during Eid, with an additional 30-35 million traveling between districts across the country. Around 75% of these travelers will use roads, 17% waterways, and 8% railways. Chowdhury pointed out that last year’s Eid-ul-Fitr saw 399 road accidents, resulting in 407 deaths and 1,398 injuries. Over the past nine years, Eid-ul-Fitr alone accounted for 2,377 accidents, 2,714 deaths, and 7,420 injuries, emphasizing the urgency of preventive action.
Key safety issues highlighted by PWAB include outdated railway infrastructure, with 83% of rail coaches and 60% of locomotives deemed obsolete, and 82% of railway crossings unprotected, increasing risks of accidents. On the roads, unauthorized vehicles such as battery-run three-wheelers contribute to traffic congestion and safety hazards. Passengers also face ticket scalping, excessive fares, and harassment at transport terminals.
Stakeholders pledged to address these concerns. Md. Saiful Alam, Secretary-General of the Transport Owners' Association, blamed poor planning and mismanagement for ongoing issues and assured stricter monitoring of fare collection. Transport Workers' Federation President Abdur Rahim Bux Dudu called for restricting battery-run three-wheelers and promised to resolve passenger grievances. BRTA Director Md. Shahidullah announced district-wide vigilance teams to enforce safety measures and curb fare hikes, while Highway Police DIG Operations Md. Shafiqul Islam disclosed that 1,443 highway robbers have been identified, with 340 teams deployed nationwide.
PWAB presented several recommendations, including banning unfit vehicles during Eid, enforcing helmet use for motorcyclists, removing unauthorized vehicles from highways 10 days prior to Eid, and deploying additional toll plaza staff to prevent traffic jams. They also urged law enforcement agencies to prioritize preventing robberies over routine vehicle checks and to take strict action against snatchers, ticket scalpers, and harassers.
The discussion was attended by notable figures, including former Election Commission Secretary Dr. Muhammad Zakaria, women’s rights activist Rafika Afroz, PWAB Publicity Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Russell, and student representative Rezaul Islam. PWAB called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure a safe and smooth Eid journey for millions of Bangladeshis.