DHAKA: The Communications Ministry made mandatory fastening seatbelt and wearing helmet for car drivers and bike riders during driving to prevent road accidents, as tragic mishaps seemed to be order of the day.   

Rash driving by untrained drivers and lax enforcement of traffic rules are mainly blamed for the accident galore across the country.

At the same time, the ministry prohibited talking over the mobile phone during driving, because such cheap chats can cheat one out of life.

“Those who will be found violating the rules will be jailed or fined. The rule will come into effect on November 1,” Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said Tuesday, disclosing the decision after a meeting of the Road Transport Advisory Council in the ministry.
    
He also said that a decision has been taken to make announcement from different police boxes to make the city-dwellers aware and motivate them to use foot-over bridges.

Meanwhile, the ministry is going to start a drive to demolish illegal establishments on both sides of the busiest roads from Wednesday.

The communications minister informed that the eviction drive would be conducted mainly in Bhulta, Bhanga, Savar, Chandana, Mawna, Gazipur, Konabari areas.

He said amendment of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance was also discussed at the meeting.

The minister also said the Dhaka City Corporation representative was asked to take necessary steps regarding construction of multistory buildings with parking space demolishing the existing one-storied buildings at DCC’s markets, including New Market, Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2 markets.

Besides, the under-construction buildings’ owners have been asked to remove construction materials from the roads and illegal advertisements and posters from eclectic poles.

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Communications Secretary Mozammel Haq Khan, Acting IGP Naim Ahmed, DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque and all divisional commissioners were present at the meeting.

BDST: 1641 HRS SEPT 21, 2010