The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued a directive requiring all air-conditioned buses to ensure visible emergency exits and to equip them with tools for breaking window glass in case of accidents. Non-air-conditioned buses have been instructed to remove stainless steel rods installed parallel to windows, which often obstruct passengers from escaping during emergencies. The authority warned that legal action will be taken against operators who fail to comply with these safety measures.

According to the public notice released on Thursday, the inability of passengers to exit quickly during accidents has been identified as a major cause of fatalities. The new instructions aim to provide safer and faster evacuation routes for passengers when accidents occur on roads, highways, ferry terminals, or rail crossings. The BRTA emphasized that these measures are intended to reduce casualties by eliminating physical barriers inside buses.

The directive follows the appointment of Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, as the new BRTA chairman on Wednesday night.