Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam distributed cheques among the victims of road accidents during an event organized by the BRTA Trustee Board at the Rajbari Municipality auditorium. Photo: Collected

RAJBARI, May 17, 2026 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today said the government has undertaken a Taka 2,800 crore project with assistance from the World Bank to help prevent road accidents, as it remains firmly committed to ensuring road safety.

Under the project, regular activities including driver training, health check-ups, eye and blood pressure tests, and screening for drug addiction will be conducted, he added.

"These activities will continue until the roads become safe," he said.

Referring to the causes of road accidents, he said most accidents in the country occur due to drivers’ inefficiency, lack of awareness, reckless behaviour and faulty vehicles.

"Public unawareness and the movement of different types of small and large vehicles on the same roads are among the major causes of accidents," he added.

He said this while addressing a programme titled 'Cheque Distribution among Victims of Road Accidents and Public Awareness Campaign to Prevent Road Accidents', organised by the BRTA Trustee Board at the Rajbari Municipality auditorium here. The event was arranged by the district administration and BRTA Rajbari Circle.

State Minister for the Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Ministry Habibur Rashid, and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom attended the event as special guests, with Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parveen in the chair.

Rajbari Zila Parishad Administrator Md Abdus Salam Mia, BRTA Chairman Habibur Rahman and Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary General Saiful Alam, among others, were present at the event.

Rabiul, who also serves as the Railways and Shipping Minister, said the programme was primarily arranged to express solidarity and sympathy with the families of those killed and injured in road accidents.

The minister said the investigation report into the tragic accident that occurred at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 3 on March 25 had been submitted to the government, and it identified driver error and vehicle defects as the main causes of the accident.

Habibur Rashid said road accidents are not merely statistics, as they leave countless families in grief and long-term suffering.

He said the government is working in a coordinated manner to ensure road safety and urged drivers, vehicle owners and passengers to become more aware and responsible.

Ali Newaz said the assistance was not compensation, but rather an effort to stand in solidarity with the grief of the affected families.

On behalf of the accident victims, Rezaul Karim also addressed the programme.

He said the affected families received assistance within one month and 24 days of the accident due to the government's goodwill and sincerity.

He urged the authorities to take appropriate measures based on the investigation report to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

It is noteworthy that cheques worth Taka 2.60 crore were distributed by the BRTA Trustee Board among 62 people killed and injured in various road accidents in the district, including the bus accident that occurred at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 3 on March 25.