HC issues rule on fire safety in public, private transport

The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why directives would not be given to install fire extinguishing system in all types of public and private vehicles.

Besides, the rule also sought explanation as to why directives would not be given to make fire extinguishing system mandatory while giving route permit of the bus and minibus, reports UNB.

The HC bench of Justice FRM NazmulAhasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the rule following a writ petition filed in the form of public interest litigation.

Secretaries to Road Transport and Highways division and home ministry, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), director general of fire service and civil defence and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rules.

Syed Misbahul Anwar stood for the writ petitioner and deputy attorney general barrister ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar for the state.

Advocate Abul Barakat Mohammad Sazzad and Al Bari Sohel filed the writ with reports of different newspapers on fire incidents of vehicles.

According to the reports, a fire broke out in Nur-A Makkah bus in Basundhara residential area on March 29. On February 10, 2018, a fire broke out in a bus in Banani area. At least eight people were injured as a fire broke out in Gabtoli-bound 7 no bus in Dhanmondi from gas line on February 20. On January 5, 2018, a fire broke out at Raida Paribahan bus in Farmgate area following gas balloon explosion which left 12 passengers injured. Besides, at least 15 people were injured following a fire at a BRTC double decker bus in Savar on June 24, 2017.