`It has been decided that a dope test would be made mandatory for every driver, said Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam.

“Without these papers, they won’t be allowed to drive in the city,” he said during a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) meeting at Nagar Bhaban on Thursday (Apr 4).

“These measures will encourage them to stay away from drugs,” he added.

DNCC organised the meeting to discuss their initiatives taken after the recent spate of student protests following the death of Bangladesh University of Professionals student Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury by a speeding bus at Pragati Sarani in the capital.

The students earlier demanded trial of all killings in road accidents, filing charge sheet and trial under Speedy Trial Tribunal, announcement of building footbridges at specific places, zebra crossings and underpasses at the accident-prone spots and cancellation of route permits of unregistered bus companies, ensuring independence of transport workers from syndicate and giving appointment to drivers following the law.

Claiming that they have already started to implement the demands of the students, the mayor said, “The corporation has decided to set up red bus stop signs and zebra crossings, construct footbridges and underpasses, passenger shades and speed breakers.”

The DNCC mayor assured the students and the officials who were present at the meeting that, he will personally talk with Dhaka South mayor and all other stakeholders in this regard.