The newly formed unit of the Police Department has 72 outposts, each covering a distance of 60-km. Twenty-four of these outposts have been proposed to be upgraded as full-fledged police stations.

The police unit, manned by 2,042 personnel and equipped with 20 patrol jeeps, 59 cars and 150 motorcycles, will be responsible for managing traffic, ensuring safety of and maintaining discipline at bus and truck terminals, filling stations, toll plazas, passenger sheds and parking lots on the regional and national highways.

On her arrival at Rajarbagh Police Lines, the prime minister was received by State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar, Inspector General of Police Abdul Qayyum and acting DIG of Highway Police Syed Shahjahan Raj and other senior officials.

Ministers, MPs, Prime Minister's Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury and senior police officials were present.

Addressing the function, the prime minister said the formation of the highway police unit is part of the present government's effort to improve the law and order, curb crimes and ensure safety of public life and property.

She said people's confidence in the rule of law, and overall law and discipline has increased. She, however, reminded that improvement of law and order is a continuous process.

Khaleda urged the law enforcers to work with dedication, honesty, courage and efficiency to ensure safety and basic rights of the innocent people.

Referring to the people's growing expectations from the police force, she expressed her firm belief that the department would be able to gain more confidence and respect of the citizens.

"You have to be strict in checking reckless driving, restricting overloading of passengers and goods, confining unfit vehicles and checking illegal driving licences," the prime minister said.

Mentioning the setting up of trauma centers at five vital points on the national highway by the present government, she asked the highway police to ensure quick rescue and sending of accident victims to the hospitals.

Referring to various development programmes taken by her government for the welfare of the police force, the prime minister assured that the government was actively considering to increase the salaries of policemen to a satisfactory level.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, Home Secretary Safar Raj Hossain and IGP Abdul Qayyum also spoke at the function.

Khaleda switched on the lights indicating the 72 outposts of the highway police on Bangladesh map. She also offered munajat.

Later, the prime minister inspected the vehicles of the highway police patrol.