Govt decision to enforce meter usage: CNG-run autorickshaw drivers end protest after 3hrs
On 11 February, the government sought to reinforce metre usage and fines or jail terms for CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter
CNG-powered autorickshaw drivers have lifted the blockade from Asad Gate around 11am, almost three hours after they started protesting against the government's decision to reinforce meter usage.
Traffic on Mirpur Road has returned to normal, said a police officer on duty at College Gate.
The CNG drivers brought out protests in front of Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Ganobhaban and College Gate this morning (13 February).
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Saiful, a shopkeeper in front of Suhrawardy Medical College, said that around 8am, the CNG drivers started gathering in front of Suhrawardy Medical College. At one stage, they blocked the road by raising various slogans.
After a long time, the police came and called them aside to talk to them. Then they lifted the blockade and left, added Saiful.
A police officer on duty at the college gate signal said, "Our seniors talked to the protesters. Then around 10:30am to 11am, they lifted the blockade."
However, he could not say what was discussed with the protesters in detail.
CNG drivers demanded scrapping the new decision of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to enforce the fare shown on the meter blocked the road in front of Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, said Tania Sultana, additional deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Traffic Division.
The protest comes a day after the government sought to reinforce meter usage and fines or jail terms for CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.
They will be fined a maximum Tk50,000 or face imprisonment for up to six months for the offence, according to a letter signed by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas, sent to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner on Monday (11 February).
The letter states that in cases where the drivers charge more than the government-set meter fare, a case will be filed in accordance with the BRTA directives.
An official from the BRTA, on condition of anonymity said, "The provisions for punishment already exist in the current law. However, since it has not been strictly enforced for a long time, we are receiving complaints of overcharging. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the police to reinforce this."
