Extortion in transport sector continues unabated

Illegal extortion in the country’s road and water transport sectors continues unabated, with operators alleging that collections are still being made openly in the name of associations, tolls, and political influence.

A video that went viral on Friday shows two young men in a mini-trawler intercepting a moving bulkhead on the Padma River in Naria upazila of Shariatpur shortly after Jummah prayers. In the footage, one of the youths boards the bulkhead, collects money from crew members, and quickly returns to the trawler before leaving the scene. A voice heard in the video claims the money was being taken as extortion. 

Industry insiders say such collections from water vessels are not new.

President of the Bangladesh Bulkhead Boat Owners’ Association Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain Badal told the Daily Sun that extortion from bulkheads remains widespread. 

He alleged that extortionists are particularly desperate in Hizla of Barishal and Chandpur.

Badal further claimed that during previous Awami League tenures, water vessels travelling from Sylhet to Dhaka had to make payments at around 15 points along the route – a practice he says continues to this day.

Additional Inspector General of Police Kusum Dewan, who heads the River Police, said authorities occasionally receive complaints and take action accordingly.

On the roads, transport operators describe a similar pattern.

Shah Alam, a driver of Airport Paribahan, said he operates his bus on a contractual basis. “I earn around Tk10,000 per day. Out of the amount, nearly Tk8,000 goes to the bus owner, transport owners association, so-called linemen, fuel costs, and other expenses.”

“Of that Tk8,000, about Tk600 is paid to linemen, association and others. We never receive any feedback or official receipt. But since other drivers pay, I have no choice,” he said.

Seeking anonymity, an owner of a transport company operating 15 buses on the Dhaka-Madaripur route alleged that he pays nearly Tk1.5 lakh per month as extortion. “The money goes to the police and other influential figures,” he said.

He alleged that a former Old Dhaka councillor and BNP leader is currently exerting pressure, threatening to block the operation of his buses. “From his attitude, I have understood that he is indirectly demanding money to allow us to operate peacefully.”

An official of TruckBD71, a truck rental company, said truck drivers are compelled to pay money under the guise of municipal tolls and various informal charges while travelling across districts.

According to a report published by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on 5 March 2024, around Tk1,059 crore is extorted annually from individually owned buses and minibuses.

The report stated that the collections involve political actors, traffic and highway police, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority officials and staff, transport owners-workers’ associations, and representatives of municipalities and city corporations.

Although the previous Awami League government had proposed a policy framework for the collection of subscription by owners-workers’ associations, and trade unions, it was never enacted.

“Such unofficial collections ultimately create additional financial pressure on ordinary passengers,” he said. “It is an open secret that money is being extracted in the name of police, associations and political actors.”