United News of Bangladesh

Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said a policy on the battery-run rickshaws is being formulated and under that policy their movement on major roads and in important areas will have to be controlled. “We do not want to cause harm to anyone, but Dhaka city cannot be allowed to become dysfunctional for the interests of any particular group. That is the main point,” Rabiul said. The minister made the remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of Dhanmondi Lake in the capital in the morning. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam was present on the occasion. Rabiul said the vehicles are seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and the government is concerned over it. Acknowledging that many people have been engaged in the profession for a long time and could face difficulties under the proposed restrictions, he said collective agreement is necessary to overcome the existing mismanagement. “If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in an uncontrolled manner in Dhaka, the city does not function,” he said. Responding to a question about Jamaat leader Golam Parwar's statements on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul said it is the opposition’s failure to understand citizens’ rights and the needs of Dhaka. “Such are their demands. They have always been unable to understand what should be said, what constitutes citizens’ rights, what is about protecting Dhaka and what is a genuine demand of citizens. That is why they have been the opposition since their birth as a political party, let alone being in government,” he said. He said Jamaat-e-Islami got the opportunity to become the main opposition party for the first time at the age of 85, questioning why the party has failed to understand public expectations over the years. “They never wanted to understand what people wanted. They neither understand during the Liberation War, nor after independence. They also failed to understand whom to support during the Ershad era and did not consider that government authoritarian. They failed to understand even after the one-eleven government. They understood somewhat in 2024, but lost the thread again. This is their political judgment,” he said. He said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after completion of its renovation and urged citizens to remain aware of the need to keep the lake and the city clean. “Modern facilities will be developed at the lake. All the facilities, including greenery, that a modern lake should have will be here,” he said. Rabiul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects to fulfil the government’s commitments to improving the environment in Dhanmondi area. Asked about the project’s duration and budget, he said the two lake-centred projects, worth around Tk 83 crore, would take about two and a half years to complete. The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and necessary infrastructure development. Some structures would also have to be newly built, including facilities around Nazrul Mancha which is currently abandoned. “There are some infrastructure facilities and lighting there. One task has to be completed before another because all the work cannot be done simultaneously,” he said. He said regular maintenance would be essential to preserve the lake’s greenery, facilities and pleasant environment, calling on citizens not to dump garbage or waste into the water. “Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake. Those who come to the lake should remain alert and conscious so that we can preserve this pleasant environment,” he said. The minister called upon citizens to work together to keep Dhaka clean, usable and pleasant and to ensure that the lake’s facilities and beauty remain sustainable. Referring to waterlogging as a major problem in Dhaka during the monsoon, Rabiul said a separate Tk 350 crore project has been undertaken. The project aims to address waterlogging across a large part of Dhaka South, covering Dhanmondi, the low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, the area extending from Shikdar Medical College towards the embankment, and Kalabagan. “We are continuously working and taking up these projects to improve citizens’ quality of life and resolve the obstacles that are affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) on Sunday called for controlling battery-run rickshaw movement across the country's large cities including the capital Dhaka, to avoid road accidents. The organisation also urged the authorities to determine the quality of the rickshaws and take initiatives for short-term training to the drivers. NCPSRR president Mohammad Shahid Mia and its general secretary Ashis Kumar Dey made the call in a statement on Sunday. Banned autorickshaw drivers’ protests bring Dhaka traffic to a standstill According to the statement of the civic organisation sent to the media, the movement of three-wheeled non-mechanised vehicles like battery-powered rickshaws on highways and long-distance roads is prohibited and extremely dangerous. Despite this, approximately 35-40 lakh battery operated rickshaws are plying across the country including Dhaka. Mentioning that these small vehicle drivers have no training, the statement said, they drive recklessly as they have no idea about traffic laws. As minor accidents are happening every day in different places, it is also causing serious disruption in the movement of pedestrians and road crossings. The statement said, despite being illegal and risky, battery-run rickshaws cannot be banned now. Because, at least 1.5 crore people depend directly and indirectly on it. 78 battery-run autorickshaws seized during DNCC drive at Mirpur Therefore, the movement of battery-powered rickshaws on the main roads of the large cities should be strictly controlled, the drivers should be given immediate short-term training and the infrastructure of such rickshaws should be strongly improved to avoid accidents, the leaders said.

The Appellate Division on Monday issued a one- month status quo on the High court order banning the movement of battery-run rickshaws on roads in Dhaka. Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Md Rezaul Haq passed the order following a petition filed by the state. The court also ordered disposing of the rule issued by the HC in this regard. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, who stood for the petition, said following the order now there is no bar on plying of battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka. Govt files petition seeking stay on HC order banning battery-run rickshaws On November 20, the High Court ordered the relevant government authorities to take necessary steps within three days to halt the operation of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka, citing safety concerns and the need to reduce road accidents. The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to stop these vehicles should not be deemed illegal. The directive came in response to a writ petition filed by the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners' Unity Alliance.

The drivers of battery-powered rickshaws blocked roads in different parts of the capital on Thursday morning, protesting a ban on their movement in city streets. The roads include Mohakhali, Basila Dhaka Uddyan, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-12, Kazipara, Shewrapara and Mirpur Golchattar and Agargaon areas of the capital. Commuters have been experiencing a gridlock in different parts of the capital following the blockade programme. JU student dies in rickshaw accident, protests erupt for justice Besides, the rail communication between Dhaka and other parts of the country got snapped as the protesting drivers blocked the rail tracks in Mohakhali area at the same time, causing immense sufferings to travellers.