Environment ministry asks BRTA to remove older buses, trucks from roads

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on Sunday that it is taking steps to remove buses and trucks older than 20 and 25 years from the roads.

Additionally, the ministry aims to make emission testing mandatory when issuing fitness certificates for vehicles.

The ministry has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), requesting the removal of buses and minibuses older than 20 years, as well as trucks and covered vans older than 25 years.

Furthermore, the ministry has urged the BRTA to implement mandatory emission testing for old diesel-powered buses and trucks when issuing fitness certificates.

As part of the environment ministry’s initiatives, the BRTA has been asked to take action against vehicles that have exceeded their economic lifespan and to ensure that mandatory emission testing is conducted for old diesel vehicles during their fitness checks.

In line with the decisions made during the first and second meetings of the National Committee on Air Pollution Control, the BRTA will take appropriate measures to remove unfit vehicles and those that have surpassed their economic life from the roads.

Emission testing will also be mandatory for old diesel-powered buses and trucks during fitness checks in Dhaka, according to a statement from the ministry.