United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has announced that a policy is being drafted concerning the operation of battery-run rickshaws. Under the proposed guidelines, no individual would be permitted to own more than one battery-powered rickshaw, in line with the principle that the driver should also be the owner, he said during a meeting with battery-run rickshaw owners and workers' associations at the DMP headquarters on Thursday afternoon. While highlighting the challenges associated with these vehicles, he said, “Although battery-powered rickshaws have created employment opportunities, they have also led to various problems. We must collectively address these issues.” He urged owners and drivers to ensure these rickshaws avoid major roads and bus routes. He also instructed authorities to take legal action against battery-powered rickshaws entering Dhaka from outside the metropolitan area. Sufficient security measures taken for Ekushey Boi Mela: DMP Commissioner During the meeting, the commissioner issued a firm warning against extortion in the transport sector, stating, “Any form of extortion will not be tolerated. Neither owners nor workers should pay any extortion money. If anyone demands such payments, report it to the nearest police station or outpost.” Representatives from rickshaw owners and workers' associations raised several concerns and requested the DMP Commissioner's intervention in resolving them.

The drivers of battery-powered rickshaws suspended their blockade for two days till Saturday to realise their demands. Giving a two-day ultimatum, they threatened that they would go for tougher movement if their demands are not met within the timeframe. Md Russell, officer-in-charge of Banani police station, said that the auto-rickshaw drivers left the city streets in Mohakhali area around 4pm allowing traffic to run several hours after clutches. Jynul Abedin, officer-in-charge of Kamala Railway Police Station, said the train movement resumed with Dhaka and parts of the country around 4:10pm after the protesters removed the trail tracks in the Mohakhali area. Earlier, on Thursday morning, the auto-rickshaw drivers blocked roads in different parts of the capital protesting a ban on their movement on 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 experienced gridlock in different parts of the capital following the blockade programme. Besides, the train 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. Read: DNCC drive in Mirpur removes battery-powered rickshaws from main roads Meanwhile, a huge crowd was seen on the metro rail as people gathered in metro rail stations to reach their respective destinations due to the sudden chaos on the streets of the capital. On Tuesday, the High Court ordered halting plying of battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka city within three days. Protesting the HC order, they staged demonstrations in Mohakhali, Mirpur, Shewrapara and Kazipara areas, halting vehicular movement. Nearly, 10 lakh rickshaws are moving in Dhaka city and a large portion of which is battery-powered. Many old pedal-driven rickshaws are being fitted with batteries to make them mechanical.