The government has formed a 15-member panel, headed by former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, aimed at curbing road accidents.

Another panel, including three ministers, has also been set up with the task to ensure implementation of Road Transport Act.

Both the committees have been instructed to file reports within 14 workdays, said Road Transport Minsiter Obaidul Quader at the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) building on Sunday (Feb 17).

“We are focusing on bringing down the frequency of road accidents,” said Quader following the 26th meeting of the road transport council.

Quader also said, “We have been successful in the development of roads and highways, now it’s time to bring back order on the roads.

Urging everyone to have faith, he said, “We are facing some temporary problems. Do not despair.”

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, Rail Minister Nurul Islam Sujon and State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury were present in the meeting among others.

Lawmaker Shajahan Khan was a divided figure during his tenure as a minister due to his dual role as a transport workers’ leader and a minister, which was frequently cited as a conflict of interest whenever transport reforms were discussed.
In August 2018, after two schoolchildren were run over by a bus on the Airport Road, several reporters asked the former minister about the lax regulations for bus drivers being a huge factor for road accidents, which the minister appeared to laugh off.
When a video of him laughing off the deaths of two went viral on the internet, there were widespread calls for his resignation, soon followed by a spontaneous protest by students demanding road safety.