TBM Report
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has urgently called for a nationwide awareness campaign via television and social media to ensure the safety of millions of travelers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. In a joint statement released on Monday, March 9, 2026, RSF leaders, including Chairman Professor Dr. AI Mahbub Uddin Ahmed and Executive Director Saidur Rahman, highlighted that over 10 million people are expected to leave Dhaka, while another 40 million will travel inter-district. The Foundation warned that the existing high-quality public transport system is grossly inadequate for such a massive exodus, forcing people to take life-threatening risks in unfit vehicles.
To bridge the transport deficit, the RSF proposed a strategic mobilization of vehicles from the Army, Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and other government agencies to carry home-bound passengers. This unusual yet pragmatic suggestion aims to replace risky local buses with safer, organized transport options. The Foundation also emphasized the role of youth and students, suggesting their involvement alongside law enforcement agencies to maintain order and manage traffic flow on major highways.
The RSF’s 12-point recommendation includes strict measures against extortion by political or administrative groups and intensified police patrolling at night to prevent highway robberies. Additionally, they urged the authorities to curb the operation of local city buses on highways and take decisive legal action against excessive fare collection. “A multi-pronged approach involving strict monitoring, adequate infrastructure like mobile toilets, and emergency medical services at hospitals is essential to prevent Eid celebrations from turning into tragedies,” the statement read.
Concluding their demands, the Foundation urged the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to facilitate widespread safety content on social media platforms like Facebook. They stressed that infrastructure improvements, such as adequate street lighting, clearly marked speed breakers, and proper signages, are critical for both the outward journey and the return trip after the holidays. The RSF maintains that without a coordinated effort between the government and civil society, the safety of millions of citizens remains in jeopardy.
 has urgently called for a nationwide awareness campaign via television and social media to ensure the safety of millions of travelers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. In a joint statement released on Monday, March 9, 2026, RSF leaders, including Chairman Professor Dr. AI Mahbub Uddin Ahmed and Executive Director Saidur Rahman, highlighted that over 10 million people are expected to leave Dhaka, while another 40 million will travel inter-district. The Foundation warned that the existing high-quality public transport system is grossly inadequate for such a massive exodus, forcing people to take life-threatening risks in unfit vehicles.){kind=link}