TDS Desk:

Due to the violence, sabotage, vandalism, and arson caused by the Quota Reform Movement, the estimated loss in the transport sector is Tk 25.92 crore. And during the shutdown and curfew, the daily loss due to traffic stoppage is more than Tk 500 crore.

Bangladesh Road Transport Owner Association recently reported such information. The total loss of public and private sector is more than Tk 10,000 crores, economists fear.

Recently, the entire country including the capital Dhaka became heated around the Quota Reform Movement, observing a ‘Complete Shutdown’, resulting in the stoppage of traffic plying. Besides, a group of miscreants took the chance of this movement of students to arson and destructive activities. Apart from vandalism, many buses and cargo trucks were burnt. After that, the vehicles were closed even during the curfew imposed by the government to curb the violence.

Bangladesh Road Transport Owner Association says that vandals vandalized and torched more than 200 vehicles across the country during the violence. In this, the loss is more than Tk 25 crore. Besides, the amount of loss due to traffic stoppage for 8 days in a row is at least Tk 4,000 crores.

Those related to the sector say that the main target in any movement and violence is “transport”. For this, both owners and workers are spending time in constant risk and fear.

“If vehicles are set on fire, its severity is greater. It also affects the way of life. That’s why, vandals always target transport,” said Dhaka Road Owners Association’s senior vice-president Safiqul Alam Khokon.

“Our vehicles run on roads. They can no longer be locked up. We spend our days in a hectic situation,” said Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association chairman Ramesh Chandra Ghosh.

Economists believe that anarchy in the transport sector is also a “threat to the economy”.

Economist Dr. Mahfuz Kabir said that various vehicles of both public and private sectors were gutted. If we calculate the total damage, it will not be less than Tk 10 thousand crores.