TUHIN SHUBHRA ADHIKARY

Though the number of road crash victims receiving government compensation has risen slightly in recent months, most victims remain excluded from the scheme due to a lengthy and complex process, as well as a lack of awareness.

The process requires the submission of at least half a dozen documents, along with an application, within 30 days of a road accident, making it difficult for a crash victim to complete the procedure within the deadline, according to officials and campaigners.

Only 1,471 victims or their family members received compensation totalling Tk 65.57 crore between January 2023 and July this year, whereas the total number of casualties was 31,904 -- during the period, shows Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) data.

This means the number of recipients is less than five percent of the official count of road crash victims since the government began providing compensation through a trustee board in January 2023.

However, the situation has improved slightly in recent months.

A total of 352 crash victims received compensation over the past three months, compared to 1,119 recipients in the preceding 28 months.

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