Rangamati, Sept 4 (V7N) - Rangamati, one of Bangladesh’s prominent tourist cities, is facing an escalating transportation crisis due to illegal parking and terminal mismanagement. Frequent road accidents are occurring throughout the city, largely attributed to unregulated parking of trucks and other vehicles on public roads.
 
Despite the city covering only about six square kilometers in area, over 3,500 vehicles, including more than 600 goods-carrying trucks, operate in Rangamati daily. While two designated terminals exist for buses and trucks, illegal occupation and negligence by authorities have rendered them largely ineffective.
 
A field visit revealed that many vehicles, particularly heavy trucks, are parked along pedestrian walkways and main roads, obstructing traffic flow and creating dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. The main truck terminal, built in 2005 by the Rangamati Municipality, has become significantly congested due to unauthorized use of space and allocation of shops within the terminal.
 
Local drivers and transport workers reported that at least 20 shops have been set up within the terminal premises, reducing available parking space. These shops reportedly pay regular rent to municipal officials, although official records indicate the terminal was leased to private operators for transport use only.
 
According to Siraj, a leader of the local drivers' association, only two rooms within the terminal are available for drivers’ use. The rest of the space has been turned into storage units or "godowns" that serve no practical purpose for transport workers. “We cannot park our trucks due to lack of space,” he said. “Over 600 drivers under the Department of Labour use this terminal daily. Yet, there’s no proper place for parking or resting.”
 
Siraj added that they have already submitted a written request to the authorities for the construction of a second terminal to address the ongoing crisis.
 
Conversations with shopkeepers revealed further irregularities. Several stated that they pay monthly rent to an unnamed municipal representative, who provides them with deposit slips. Some tenants admitted that their leases had expired long ago but continue operations without renewal. One shop owner, under condition of anonymity, claimed that certain individuals from the municipality collect weekly payments ranging from 200 to 500 taka per shop.
 
Drivers argue that removing the unauthorized storage units could free up space for at least 50 additional trucks. They also expressed frustration that a significant portion of the terminal is occupied by abandoned municipal vehicles and rental shops, further limiting its intended use.
 
Terminal leaseholders allege that despite having documents indicating full lease rights over the terminal, they are restricted from using large portions of it due to unauthorized occupation and interference by a group within the municipal authority. They claim the rental income from these shops is being collected privately and not through official channels.
 
Investigations indicate that during a previous authoritarian regime, certain political figures illegally constructed and leased out shops within the terminal in exchange for large sums of money. This unregulated expansion has severely compromised the terminal's functionality.
 
Members of the local drivers’ and workers’ union are now demanding immediate action to dismantle the illegally constructed shops and reclaim space within the Rangamati municipal truck terminal to restore its original purpose and prevent further traffic chaos and accidents across the city.
 
END/AMR/SMA/