S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
Due to unplanned construction and substandard work, the newly built Sylhet Central Bus Terminal has become largely unusable, forcing more than half of the buses to be stationed on the adjacent roads.
Leaders of the Sylhet District Road Transport Owners Association made this claim at a press conference held Sunday at the terminal’s new building. Md. Aminuzzaman Joahir, the association’s general secretary, presented a written statement outlining the issues and placing several demands before the administration.
Among their key demands was the reopening of local stone quarries and the strengthening of all stone-related businesses. They also urged for an adjustment in transport fares, which have not kept pace with rising operational costs.
To reduce road accidents, the leaders proposed mandatory rest breaks for inter-district drivers every 7–8 hours, as well as formal training programs. They also highlighted the persistent danger posed by illegal and unregistered CNG-run autorickshaws, operated by unskilled drivers in defiance of High Court directives.
The association leaders criticized the 2018 Road Transport Act, which set the lifespan of buses at 20 years and trucks at 25 years. They alleged the provision is part of a conspiracy to destroy the transport sector and hand over the vehicle fitness certification process to private firms. On July 1, the association held a protest against this law.
They also demanded:
Withdrawal of increased taxes on public transport;
Cancellation of the lifespan cap for commercial vehicles;
Price control on vehicle parts.
At the press conference, leaders defended their president, Maulana Lokman Ahmed, against online claims questioning his legitimacy as a vehicle owner. They cited his long-standing role in the sector, including previous terms as general secretary and president of various transport organizations, as well as his service as chairman of South Surma Upazila Parishad.
On the traffic situation, the leaders said that long-standing congestion near the Sherpur Toll Plaza on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway was resolved through their initiative, with the support of the Divisional Commissioner. Two lanes are now in operation, allowing smoother traffic flow.
The association also claimed that since its inception in 2013, it has played a consistent role in resolving transport-related issues in Sylhet. Despite initial obstacles, they said, coordination between the administration, owners, and workers has helped reduce traffic congestion significantly.
Maulana Lokman Ahmed and other senior leaders of the association were present at the event.
