Despite police and linemen tasked with traffic management, buses in Dhaka are frequently seen blocking roads or moving slowly, creating disorder. Bus drivers and helpers blame the chaos on extortion disguised as “gate pass” fees, excess vehicles, and inflated daily rental payments. For example, on one registered route alone, transport workers are forced to deposit Tk 550 daily per bus as a so-called “GP fee” at Victoria Park or Paltan, channeled to owners’ associations. With around 250 Victor Paribahan buses operating despite only 129 having registration, extortion totals roughly Tk 1.37 lakh per day on a single route—amounting to Tk 5 crore annually. Across Dhaka’s 7,000 buses, the figure soars to nearly Tk 150 crore a year. Drivers claim that paying the fee ensures protection—from lenient handling by sergeants to settlements in accident cases. Meanwhile, owners argue the collected money goes towards workers’ welfare.
রাজধানীর ভিক্টোরিয়া পার্ক মোড়ে ভরদুপুরে জিলাপির প্যাচের মতো বাস দাঁড়িয়ে থাকতে দেখা যায়। সড়কে শৃঙ্খলা রক্ষার দায়িত্বে পুলিশ ও লাইনম্যান থাকলেও গাড়ি চলছে না। কচ্ছপ গতিতে বাস চালানো কিংবা অন্যের পথ রোধ করে সড়কে দাঁড়িয়ে থাকতে দেখা যায় বাসগুলোকে।
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