Dhaka, July 23 – The High Court on Tuesday directed the owners of 4,79,320 vehicles to collect their fitness certificate from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) office within two months starting from August 1.In its order, the HC bench warned that if any owner of the fitness defaulter does not collect fitness certificate by this time, those particular vehicles will not be allowed on the roads after September 30.
The HC bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam came up with the orders after receiving a report submitted by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) stating that a total of 4, 79,320 vehicles without fitness certificates are running on the roads across the country.
There are around 4,018,000 registered vehicles in the country and among them 1,442,860 are in Dhaka alone. All the 4, 79,320 vehicles registered but their fitness clearance has expired, the report said.
The HC also directed the BRTA to issue a public notification and circulate advertisement through the print and electronic media informing about the directives.
It directed the BRTA not to allow any vehicles to ply in roads unless their fitness certificates. The law enforcers shall ensure that no unfit vehicles running in roads, according to the HC order.
The HC bench fixed October 15 for passing further order on this issue.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Advocate Rafiul Islam, counsel for BRTA submitted a report before the HC bench in line with previous directive of June 24.
In its report, the BRTA said that a total of 4, 79,320 vehicles without fitness certificates are running on the roads across the country. Among them, a total of 2, 61,113 are running in Dhaka Division, 1, 19,588 in Chattogram Division, 26, 240 in Rajshahi Division, 6, 568 in Rangpur Division, 15, 668 in Khulna Division, 44, 805 in Sylhet Division and 5, 338 in Barisal Division.
After receiving the report, the HC bench wanted to know from BRTA lawyer that how a large numbers of unfit vehicle are plying in roads without fitness certificates.
Why you are not taking step against these vehicles, the HC bench asked the BRTA lawyer.
The lawyer replied that a total of 39, 837 cases have been filed only in the year of 2018-2019. The fined money of total Tk 6.72 crore has been collected in this year. A total of 214 vehicles have been dumped in this year while a total of 728 people got punishment by the courts over the issue.
Besides that a vehicle inspection center (VIC) has set up in Mirpur and steps has been taken to set up VIC at every district, the BRTA lawyer informed.
Then, the HC bench said that what a beautiful vehicles in abroad are! There is no spot in their vehicles. But, our country’s vehicles have no looking glass, no headlight many spots at vehicles even it has no colour.
The lawyer replied that private vehicles are okayed. But, the public vehicles were not okayed as these vehicles did not repair after the accident.
The HC bench told the lawyer saying that it has given two months times to complete the whole process of collecting fitness certificate and other formalities for the vehicles in order to ensure the road safety for the people.
“We will not allow any vehicle flying in the roads without fitness certificate. We are not in favour of any side. We are in favour of people safety and security. We want to work for the welfare of the country and its nation,” the HC bench said.
Road accidents are taking place in the country as the officials concerned have not taken appropriate action to stop running of unfit vehicles by drivers without valid licence, the HC bench said.
Earlier on June 24, the same bench of the HC ordered the BRTA to submit a detailed list of district-wise vehicles without fitness certificates, drivers without renewed licences and names of vehicle owners within one month.
The HC bench came up with the order during the hearing on a suo motu rule issued by it on March 27 this year.
Under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1983, vehicles must undergo mandatory fitness checks every year.
However, the BRTA said a total of 71,218 vehicles have not had their fitness certificates renewed in 10 years and many of those pose serious risks of accidents.
Unfit vehicles are a key reason behind road accidents, a major issue in the country now, especially after last year’s massive student protests demanding safer roads. Tens of thousands of students had taken to the streets in Dhaka and other cities following the death of two college students in a road accident in the capital on July 29.
At least 4,439 people were killed in 3,103 accidents last year mainly due to faulty vehicles, according to Nirapad Sarak Chai, a road safety campaigner.
Deputy attorney general AKM Aminuddin Manik appeared for the state. – Staff Reporter
