Photo: Messenger
The traffic department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has deposited Tk 283 crore, 70 lakh, 99 thousand, and 629 into the government treasury as fines for vehicles over the last 5 years. During the same period, 27 lakh, 22 thousand, and 295 cases have been filed.
The traffic department has been realising fines and filing cases from 2019 to 2023. The highest amount of fines was realised in the last year, 2023. This year, fines of Tk 72 crore, 7 lakh, 23 thousand, and 963 were realised. And the highest number of cases were filed in 2019. A total of 17 lakh, 40 thousand, and 448 cases were filed.
This information has been confirmed by the traffic department of the DMP.
Those concerned are characterizing the traffic department's achievement as a milestone in bringing discipline to the roads. They have praised their relentless efforts, disregarding rain, storms, and everything.
Analyst Dr Kudrat E Khuda Babu told The Daily Messenger, “Currently, there is an intense heatwave across the country, yet they (traffic personnel) remain steadfast on the roads. Even during the rainy season, winter, and Ramadan, the way they perform the responsibilities assigned to them is truly praiseworthy.”
He also said, “It is true that there is traffic congestion in Dhaka. But we must also welcome their efforts. Finding out which vehicles plying the Dhaka city have proper papers and which do not, and then filing cases against them is truly a difficult task. And their statistics over the past 5 years are astonishing.”
The statistics show that in 2019, the traffic department filed 17 lakh, 40 thousand, and 448 cases. The same year, fines of Tk 8 crore, 25 lakh, 99 thousand, and 350 were realized. In 2020, 1 lakh, 33 thousand, and 578 cases were filed. During this time, fines of Tk 23 crore, 17 lakh, 44 thousand, and 137 were realized. In 2021, 2 lakh, 55 thousand, and 911 cases were filed. At the same time, fines of Tk 50 crore, 93 lakh, 34 thousand, and 303 were realised. In 2022, 2 lakh, 64 thousand, and 836 cases were filed. Fines of Tk 54 crore, 93 lakh, 3 thousand, and 721 were realised. In 2023, 3 lakh, 27 thousand, and 522 cases were filed. Fines of Tk 72 crore, 7 lakh, 23 thousand, and 963 were realised.
Analyzing the statistics, it is seen that since 2019, the traffic department has been paying more attention to fines rather than filing cases. This year, there were almost 17 lakh cases. The next year, the number of cases decreased by almost 4 lakh to 13 lakh. In the following years, cases were not filed in that manner. But the rate of realising fines increased dramatically. In other words, where the fines were Tk 8 crore in 2019, it crossed Tk 23 crore in 2020. The next year, it crossed Tk 50 crore. Finally, in 2023, it stood above Tk 72 crore.
On the other hand, Snehasish Sarkar, Assistant Commissioner of the Tejgaon traffic department, said, “This achievement has been possible because we perform our assigned duties with professionalism. We have to stay on the roads disregarding all adverse or hostile weather conditions. Every member of the Traffic department is committed to fulfilling their responsibilities.”
Regarding the overall matter, Mohammad Maynul Hasan ppm, Deputy Commissioner (promoted to Additional DIG) of the Motijheel traffic department, said, “This is undoubtedly an achievement of the traffic police. We have attained this through properly fulfilling our assigned duties.”
He further said, “However, our goal is not to file cases or realise fines. We always work to maintain proper traffic management. But in the process of managing things like not having route permits, licenses, wrong parking, driving on the wrong lane, we have to file cases or impose fines. If a driver follows the correct rules, the traffic police will not say anything to them. But when they violate the rules, the traffic police will act within their legal obligations. This is also their responsibility.”
In response to a question, he said, “The traffic police do not leave the roads amid any natural disaster. If the traffic police leave the road for even five minutes, those who live in Dhaka can better understand what would happen on that road. We witnessed the highest temperature in 76 years this time, but the traffic police remained steadfast even amid this heatwave.”
He added, “The current commissioner has given 23 instructions. We are trying to follow these. If we can do that, there may still be traffic on the roads, but it will be significantly reduced. The way the honourable IGP and DMP Commissioner are motivating the traffic police, they are able to face the hostile environment with a smile and remain steadfast.”
Regarding the decrease in the number of cases but an increase in fines, he said, “In 2018, a groundbreaking traffic law was enacted. This law has increased the provisions for fines. That is why the amount of fines has increased. And there is a notion that the traffic police get a commission when they impose fines, which is actually a misconception. The traffic police do not receive any kind of commission from fines.”
Messenger/Disha
