Dhaka Nagar Paribahan to be launched on Dec 26, instead of Dec 1

GBNEWS24DESK//

Though the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan was scheduled to be introduced on December 1, it will not be possible to launch the service due to non-cooperation from bus owners.

It was alleged by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh while talking to journalists following the 19th meeting of Bus Route Rationalisation Committee at Buriganga Hall of Nagar Bhaban on Sunday (Nov 28).

Instead, he said the new transport service will be launched on December 26 next.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DSCC) mayor Atiqul Islam was present at the meeting.

The DSCC mayor said: “Though we have wanted to launch the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan service from December 1, we are now unable to do it due to lack of cooperation from transport owners. They promised to provide us with minibuses, but didn’t keep their pledges. However, we will launch the service from Ghatarchar in Keraniganj to Kanchpur through BRTC buses under a pilot project from December 26.”

Mayor Taposh said no old minibuses will be allowed to ply on the new route–from Ghatarchar to Kanchpur. The minibuses which were bought after January 1, 2019 among the vehicles now plying will only be allowed to ply on the route. The rest of the minibuses will be withdrawn, and new minibuses will be added to the existing ones. “The transport owners gave consent to our proposal.”

The mayor said the BRTC is going to provide 30 buses for the service. “Since we need more buses, we have decided to make it open. There may be many owners. Those who will submit names, route permits will be issued in favour of their companies. But, they will have to accept all the conditions,” he said.

DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam said it wouldn’t be possible to launch the new transport service due to lack of cooperation from some bus owners. “However, we’re determined to launch the service on the date rescheduled today,” he said.

Islam said: “We expected that a substantial number of transport owners will come forward to provide buses for this route. But, it didn’t happen in reality. Only six transport owners submitted their names. So, we have made it open for all now. We urge the interested entrepreneurs and franchises to submit the names of their companies.”

It may be mentioned that the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan was scheduled to be launched with 120 buses from Ghatarchar-Kanchpur route at the 18th meeting of the Bus Route Rationalisation Committee.