A teetering bus and a tottering transport sector

The picture of a bus swaying on the ramp of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, published in this daily yesterday, reflects the total chaos in our road transport sector. We are horrified at the sight of the decrepit bus that was carrying 26 hajj pilgrims from a Mirpur hajj agency office to the airport. The accident could have been fatal. But we are relieved to know that no one was hurt in the accident.

Looking at the picture one can see that the bus has no brake lights or tail lights and doesn't even display a registration number. How could the hajj agency deploy such a dilapidated bus to transport the hajj pilgrims to the airport?

In fact, thousands of such dilapidated buses and other transports for public use can be seen in all the major highways all over the country. Also, most of these buses are driven by unskilled drivers. But regrettably, the BRTA, BRTC and the police seem to be turning a blind eye to the problem. And the owners and drivers of these buses almost always get away with impunity. It is wanton lawlessness – and lawlessness in one sector breeds lawlessness in all other sectors, as the tendency to break law is very infectious.

The government must crack down on these run-down, unfit buses and other vehicles and bring in discipline in the transport sector as well as all other sectors where indiscipline is rampant. Because, at the end of the day, it's a question of good governance and rule of law. If such lawlessness continues, it's the government's credentials that will suffer.