‘Safety policy can facilitate discipline in public, freight transport’

A safety policy on passenger and goods transportation can facilitate the process of bringing discipline in public and freight transport, ensuring the safety of women, children, and people with disabilities, said speakers at a discussion on Wednesday.

Addressing the discussion on the second draft safety policy in 2025, they also shared their views on stopping sexual exploitation, as well as promoting transparency, accountability, and enforcement of laws in the transport sector.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organised the event on the policy drafted by Nari Unnayan Shakti.

BRTA Chairman Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed chaired the meeting, where Executive Director of Nari Unnayan Shakti Dr Afroja Parvin presented the draft policy.

She highlighted more features of the draft policy, including the prevention of crimes like mugging, drugging by gangs, robbery, and sexual harassment in passenger and goods transportation.

Dr Parvin said the safety policy on public and freight transport is necessary to improve work, family, and social environments, as well as the mental health of all, including women.

The BRTA chairman said though the government is keen to ensure road safety, it could not achieve the goal due to some practical challenges in the country.

Vice-President of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Professor Iqbal Hossain Raju, Gender Adviser at Nari Unnayan Shakti Dr Zahedul Islam, and Communication Adviser Sultan Mohammad Razzak spoke on the occasion, among others.

Senior officials of BRTA, representatives from the Bus-Truck Owners Association and Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation also shared their views at the programme.

smunima@yahoo.com