The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has long been facing widespread allegations of unethical practices like taking bribes from service seekers, but there appears to be none to look into the matter.
There are six metro circles of BRTA working under Dhaka division and almost all of them are allegedly involved in unethical activities in the name of providing services to the people.
Allegations are rife that service seekers have to pay additional money for getting various services like renewal of driving licences, vehicle fitness certificates and ownership transfers.
Some service seekers at BRTA Metro Circle offices told the Bangladesh that a section of officials, brokers, Ansar personnel and CNS (BRTA’s IT provider) are involved in unethical practices.
It is alleged that Tk 10 to 15 lakh of the bribe collected from service seekers is sent to higher officials at the divisional office per week.
Sources said that this illegal practice of taking bribes from service seekers has been going on for years with the help of assistant directors at the BRTA circle offices.
Rampant corruption despite raids in metro circle-1
At the Metro Circle-1 office of BRTA in Mirpur, the number of brokers is higher than that of service seekers. Despite repeated raids by law enforcement agencies and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the quality of service has not yet improved.
It is alleged that Assistant Director Mobarak Hossain (Engineer) is leading a network involving the contracted IT company CNS, Ansar personnel and about 65 brokers.
This correspondent tried to contact Metro Circle-1’s Deputy
Director (Engineer) Rafiqul Islam for his comments but failed as his official phone number was found busy.
During visit to the Mirpur BRTA office, a signboard reading ‘Beware of Brokers, Frauds, and Cheats’ was found there. But everybody knows that without paying extra money, customers cannot process registration of new or old vehicles, driving licences, route permits, ownership transfers, address changes, or even fitness certificates.
An investigation conducted by the Bangladesh Post reveals that a significant number of Ansar personnel have left their jobs following the July uprising and joined brokers’ network.
Ansar member Nazmul is among them who quit their jobs. He is now working as a broker in the ownership department, reportedly under Assistant Director Abdul Karim.
Nazmul, along with former Ansar members Noyon, Khorshed, and Khalil, allegedly charge Tk 2,000-2,500 per file.
An ex-employee named Mohasin continues to present himself as a BRTA official and runs his brokerage activities from the Deputy Director's office.
There is also allegation that Ansar Commander PC Kanchon and APC Milon collect Tk 2 -3 lakh weekly from Ansar members and brokers.
In the motorcycle ownership and registration department, Assistant Director Shamsul Kabir has allegedly secured his new role by paying a hefty amount of bribe. Kabir is under investigation by the ACC for allegations of corruption.
Despite the installation of CCTV cameras at critical locations within the BRTA Mirpur office, illegal transactions still persist. The cameras are directly controlled from the Dhaka divisional office, led by Director Mohammad Shahidullah (Engineer), who faces allegations of receiving bribes amounting to millions of taka from the circle offices.
Director Shahidullah denies these allegations, saying that magistrates are regularly deployed to conduct raids, ensuring that no bribery occurs in the license and fitness departments.
However, after visiting the offices and speaking to the officials concerned, it has become clear that the magistrates often neglect their duties during raids.
The director said steps are being taken to address the issue of officials keeping their office numbers switched off. But, Director Shahidullah himself has reportedly kept his official number switched-off.
Illegal licenses at a price in metro circle-2
At the BRTA Metro Circle-2 office in Keraniganj, Ekuria, some applicants are passing the driving test without writing anything, thanks to brokers.
Investigations reveal that one can obtain a non-professional license regardless of driving skills or education by for Tk 12,000.
Applicants renewing licenses must pay an extra Tk 3,000 for the re-examination, while obtaining the police verification report for professional licenses also involves bribery. Without a Tk 2,000 bribe, the verification report can be delayed for months.
Assistant Director Bakhtiar Uddin said, “Currently, customers apply online, and it gets approved within a day.”
When asked about taking Tk 3,000 per driving license and handing over the bribe money to the departmental office at the end of the week, he did not respond and disconnected the call.
No escape from corruption in metro circle-3
The same thing are seen at Metro Circle-3, with brokers claiming that passing a driving test costs Tk 2,500, but the amount has now increased to Tk 3,000 under Assistant Director Liton Biswas. No receipt is provided for these illegal payment.
Fitness certificates are also being issued for vehicles that do not meet the required standards. While visiting metro circle 3, Deputy Director Kazi Mohammad Morsalin gave fitness certificates to faulty cars.
Morsalin denies the allegations, saying that around 300 vehicles receive fitness certificates daily, but faulty vehicles must be repaired before obtaining one.
Contacted, Metro Circle-3 Assistant Director Liton Biswas denied all the allegations and said, “I am unaware of any bribery over providing licenses. Since license applications are submitted online, there is no scope for the application copy or the service recipient’s password to reach the brokers.”
Bribes for services in metro circle-4
At the Dhaka Metro Circle-4 office in Purbachal, a group of ten brokers reportedly collects around Tk 4 to 5 lakh daily through mobile apps such as Nagad and bKash and cash.
According to service seekers, the syndicate operates under the leadership of Assistant Director (fitness section) Nasir Uddin, with vehicle Inspector Asim Pal being directly involved.
However, Nasir Uddin denied this allegation. When asked for fitness-related information from his circle, he said he did not have any.
Mamun, a service seeker, mentions the lack of law enforcement and media presence at the Purbachal office, making it easy for brokers to manipulate customers. He claims there is no chance of getting any service at Metro Circle-4 without paying extra.
Tarik, a local broker, told the Bangladesh Post that obtaining a non-professional license costs Tk 10,000, while a professional license costs Tk 13,000, including a ‘complete package’ that covers everything, even the medical certificate.
Assistant Director Ali Ahsan Milon, however, denies these allegations and said most of the license work is done online, and applicants only need to visit the BRTA office once to submit documents and take the written test. He further insists that the examination is conducted transparently.
When asked for his comments on the presence of broker syndicates in the office, officials taking bribes, and bribe money being sent to the departmental office, Deputy Director Parkan Chowdhury (Engr.) said, “I am not involved in such matters; operations are conducted with magistrates to prevent brokers.”
When asked whether any punitive action has been taken against any members of the broker syndicate in the recent operation, he said, “In August, one person was fined.”
In response to another question, Parkan Chowdhury said, “The issue of officials keeping their official numbers switched off does not fall under ethical conduct. I also use my official number, but I cannot comment on their matters.”
Mohammad Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Director (Admin) of BRTA, is emphasising their efforts to maintain integrity in their operations.
He mentions that they take action upon receiving specific complaints against officials and highlights a new approach to conducting drives under the leadership of the new chairman. By ensuring that information is not leaked before conducting these operations, they aim to enhance the effectiveness of their regulatory actions.
Gautam Chandra Pal, former chairman of BRTA, declined to comment on the bribery allegations, saying the matter requires investigation. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies are responsible for uncovering any officials involved in bribery.
He said that while he cannot comment on the private actions of officers, the organisation is continuously running awareness campaigns to combat illegal transactions. If specific allegations are made, necessary actions will be taken.
Ilias Kanchan, the founder and chairman of the road safety organisation Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa), commented that bribery within BRTA is an ongoing issue. Simply transferring top officials will not end corruption.
He argued that to stop bribery in exchange for services, everyone from clerks to high-ranking officials with complaints against them must be punished simultaneously, which could potentially bring change to BRTA.
According to BRTA, there are over 500,000 unfit vehicles on the roads in Bangladesh. The organisation has introduced automatic vehicle fitness testing (VIC) services, but this is currently only available at Metro Circle-1.
