A conflict between the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and an Indian company has left over 600,000 applicants in distress. The disagreement, which appears to involve procedural or service-related issues, has disrupted the processing of applications, causing significant inconvenience for those affected. As tensions persist, applicants are left waiting for resolutions to move forward with their transportation-related needs.
According to BRTA records, a contract worth 1.2 billion BDT was signed in July 2020 with the goal of delivering 4 million smart cards by July 2026. However, the supplier has only delivered half the required number so far.
The situation has worsened as the supplier, MSP, has yet to process around 600,000 pending applications. BRTA officials claim that delays from MSP are disrupting their operations, while MSP argues that production has halted due to unpaid dues by BRTA.
Meanwhile, applications for new cards, renewals, and corrections continue to pour in, compounding the problem. The long wait for smart driving license cards is creating significant challenges for applicants, especially in terms of employment opportunities.
For instance, motorcycle rider Md. Raihan, who applied for a smart license two years ago, expressed frustration as traffic police refuse to accept his provisional papers.
To address these issues, BRTA has introduced an interim e-paper driving license system. Applicants who pass the driving test are issued temporary documents with QR codes, allowing them to drive until their smart cards are delivered.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Director of BRTA’s Audit and Law Division, explained that this temporary system provides a stopgap solution. He stated, “The supplier is trying to fulfill their commitments, so we implemented this alternative system to support applicants in the meantime.”
Historically, BRTA has relied on different contractors for issuing smart cards. Before MSP, a joint venture between a French company and local firm Tiger IT Bangladesh successfully delivered approximately 1.5 million cards ahead of schedule.
The ongoing crisis has sparked discussions about policy changes. Recently, the interim government introduced standard PVC cards instead of smart cards for driving licenses.
The issue of smart card delays dates back to the tenure of former Minister Obaidul Quader, who faced criticism over alleged favoritism in contract awards.
Corruption within BRTA has been an ongoing problem. A 2021 report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed that 83.1% of households faced some form of corruption when applying for a driving license, with 83.7% relying on intermediaries or brokers to expedite services.
According to BRTA sources, new applicants will receive PVC cards, while existing applicants must return their previous cards. However, no clear timeline has been provided for resolving the current backlog.
Source: Ittefaq
