Multiple vehicles using same number plate fueling accidents, crime

Tampering with vehicle number plates has long been a tactic for criminal activity in Bangladesh. In a bid for higher profits, some transport owners are using the same number plates on multiple vehicles—a practice that is not only illegal but also highly dangerous. These unregistered and often unfit vehicles are increasing the risk of accidents and endangering lives, while depriving the state of significant revenue.

Misuse of technology and alleged collusion between some transport officials and law enforcement have enabled this fraudulent system to thrive. These vehicles operate freely even on key national highways with the alleged backing of corrupt individuals within the relevant authorities.

A visit to several workshops in Aminbazar, Savar, revealed that license plates from old vehicles are mysteriously being reused on newly built or remodeled ones. Many of these old, dilapidated buses are being reconstructed with new bodies and internal equipment, yet their outdated registration plates remain. In some cases, the same plate is being used simultaneously on more than one vehicle.

Investigations have uncovered direct involvement of some corrupt officials from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in this number plate tampering scheme. Their assistance has allowed the unlawful operations to continue unimpeded.

According to BRTA data, as of May this year, a total of 6,398,998 vehicles have been registered across the country since the authority began operations in 1987. Of these, 2,260,922 are under the "Dhaka Metro" registration category alone. Notably, the highest number of bus registrations occurred in 2016, with 3,832 buses registered—3,487 of them in Dhaka.

The probe found that in 2024, a bus bearing the number Dhaka Metro-B-12-3792 was registered by Ifad Motors Limited. However, this same number plate was found on two different buses: one operating on the Dhaka-Tangail highway under the name Z & L Express, and another on the Dhaka-Saidpur route under Saint Martin Sea View Express. Both buses are owned by a single individual—Anwar Hossain—who also owns Anwar Engineering Workshop in Aminbazar, where the buses were found.

Nearby, Everbright Motors is home to several buses from the fleet of A.K. Travels. These include buses with numbers like Dhaka Metro-B-14-6073, B-14-6397, B-14-6398, B-14-6399, B-14-6520, B-14-6697, B-14-6698, B-14-6699, and B-14-6798. Though these vehicles were officially registered in 2012, their bodies were constructed only two years ago.

According to BRTA, the original chassis of these vehicles were Japanese Hino RM2 models. However, the buses currently in operation—using those same registration numbers—now have Indian Ashok Leyland chassis. The registrations appear to be recycled from older vehicles, but BRTA has no records of these modifications.

Meanwhile, Palestine Travels is operating two sleeper buses under a single plate number—Dhaka Metro-B-11-1—both active on the Gazipur–Cox’s Bazar route.

When contacted, Saifur Islam, an official at Ifad Motors Ltd., said, "We provide vehicles to owners through loans. Until the loan is repaid, the vehicles remain under our name. Some owners exploit this to duplicate plates for other buses. Our scope is limited, but if we find such cases, we attempt to seize the vehicles. However, those responsible for monitoring these violations often allow the vehicles to operate freely."

Nahid Mia, President of the Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) Dhamrai regional chapter, warned, "If this trend continues, road chaos will escalate. Accidents will increase, and criminals will grow bolder. The authorities must act firmly to identify and prosecute those involved in this fraudulent network."

Transport businessman G.M. Mintu echoed this concern, stating, "Many long-distance buses use the same number plate across multiple vehicles. When one is involved in an accident, another is seen operating elsewhere with the same number. It complicates accountability. Moreover, registration renewal requires the vehicle to be presented. Owners show one bus and apply the same plate to others, costing the government a lot in lost revenue."

Dr. M. Shafiqur Rahman, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning (Road Transport) at Jahangirnagar University, noted, "Owners are exploiting administrative loopholes, aided by corrupt BRTA officials. This is putting the public at risk and causing huge losses to state revenue. The public is losing faith in the law."

He added, "To ensure safety on our roads, we must address this issue. Public awareness and strict administrative action are essential to curb this anarchy."

Efforts to reach Anwar Hossain, owner of Saint Martin Sea View Express and Z & L Express, were unsuccessful. During a visit to his Anwar Engineering Workshop, he was not present. When contacted on his mobile, he declined to identify himself and advised reporters to visit Arambagh in Dhaka, where he claimed similar buses with duplicate plates were operating.