BRTA suspends registration of bus that drowned in Padma

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has suspended the registration of a bus belonging to Showhardo Paribahan that plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry ghat, killing at least 26 people.

The authority also asked the bus owner to appear before the BRTA office and explain why the vehicle’s registration and legal permits should not be revoked.

An order to this effect was issued on Thursday (26 March).

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According to the order, the bus, bearing registration number Rajbari-B-11-0024, fell into the river at around 5:15pm on Wednesday (25 March) while boarding a ferry from pontoon No. 3 at Daulatdia ferry ghat in Goalanda upazila of Rajbari.

Rescue officials said 26 passengers were found dead, while five others were injured in the accident.

BRTA Motor Vehicle Inspector of Rajbari circle Liton Kumar Dutta visited the scene at around 6:45pm the same day.

The order said that, in accordance with Section 24 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, and Rules 46 and 47 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022, the vehicle’s registration has been temporarily suspended.

It also directed the owner to appear before the undersigned within three working days with relevant documents, including the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit and the driver’s licence, and to explain why the registration should not be permanently cancelled.

Otherwise, the BRTA will take necessary legal action, including permanent cancellation of the vehicle’s registration.