Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to strengthen monitoring on the roads and highways to prevent the incidence of accidents during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

He came up with the instruction while speaking at a meeting to ensure safe journey of homebound passengers on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha, reports BSS.

Quader, also the Awami League general secretary, said attention should be paid to preventing bus helpers from driving. "If the helpers operate vehicles, there will be accidents," he added.

He said various city points, including the entrance of Dhaka, should be kept under extra vigilance and sufficient vehicles will remain available to keep the Eid journey smooth and free of traffic jam.

The road transport and bridges minister asked the authorities concerned to take measures to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on the city's Hanif flyover.

Urging the bus owners not to charge extra fare from homebound people during the Eid, he said many ordinary passengers do not have enough money to pay extra fare and that is why the bus owners have been requested to strictly monitor the situation so that none can collect excessive fare from the passengers.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also does so, he added.

Quader said during the Eid-ul-Azha, there is pressure on roads due to cattle-laden vehicles, so additional attention should be given to the vehicles carrying sacrificial animals.

He said animal-carrying vehicles will run at a slow speed but those must have fitness.

The road transport minister said when garments workers get leave ahead of Eid, they become desperate to go to their homes. BRTC vehicles should be kept there to address the situation by providing necessary vehicles for workers, he added.

He said special surveillance should be there so that no one can ride motorcycle without a helmet.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Bridges Division Secretary Md. Monjur Hossain, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director MAN Siddique, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder, BRTC Chairman Md Tajul Islam, Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Syed Moinul Hasan, Additional Inspector General of Police Md Atiqul Islam, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association President Mashiur Rahman Ranga and its Secretary General Khandaker Enayet Ullah were, among others, were present at the meeting.

Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque