Dhaka streets appear freer a day after HC orders ban on battery-run rickshaws
Officegoers report less time spent on roads during the morning rush hour
Dhaka streets seemed a lot freer this morning (20 November), just a day after the High Court ordered a halt on the operation of battery-powered rickshaws on the streets within three days.
Many commuters on their way to the office during the morning rush hour reported less time spent on the roads.
"I got on a rickshaw to go to my office in Moghbazar from Dhanmondi this morning, and it took me the same time it takes in CNG-run autorickshaws on other days," said Tanveer Mohsin, a private job holder.
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Tanveer recalled seeing only a few battery-run rickshaws in the alleyways and none in Mirpur Road and Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue.
He also said he had to spend little time waiting for the signals.
"I only had to spend around five minutes on the Banglamotor signal, which I always had to in the past," he added.
Nilima Faris, another officegoer travelling to Eskaton from Mohammedpur this morning, said she started her commute at around 8am.
"When I step out in the morning, I usually see a lot of battery-run rickshaws lined up in the alleys. But today, it was quite clear," she said.
"I hopped on a CNG and reached my destination within 30 minutes. As it's school hours, it usually takes me a lot longer to even get out of the area because of traffic caused by rickshaws, mostly battery-run ones. It wasn't the case today," she added.
Nilima said she often prefers to ride battery-run rickshaws as they are faster and less costly than a CNG.
"However, it's not always a good choice as the drivers can be a little too reckless at times," she added.
Toha Yeasin Hossain, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) New Market zone, said, "The traffic jam in Science Lab and New Market areas is less than any other day today.
When asked the reasons behind less congestion, he said it might be due to battery-run rickshaws not being able to operate on the main roads.
Toha also said there was a tailback this morning on the Mohakhali portion of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway due to a protest by the autorickshaw drivers in the Mohakhali area.
"However, the road is clear now as the protesters left the streets within a very short time," he added.
While the decision on the battery-run rickshaw ban was accepted by many, some people also said the government should have considered an alternative source of income for the drivers of these rickshaws.
"These rickshaw pullers are day labourers trying to make a living. The government should ensure they have another source of income before banning them," said Azad, a retired service holder.
"The government should have first addressed the import of these auto-rickshaws before taking action against them on the streets," he added.
Meanwhile, battery-run rickshaw drivers with disabilities said they can still ply on some of the main roads without police restrictions.
"It's legal for us to drive on the main road. But some dishonest rickshaw pullers are taking advantage of this by driving without permission," said Kalam, one such battery-run rickshaw driver.
"While the police don't stop us, the actions of these rule-breakers are causing problems for us," he added.
The High Court, yesterday, ordered authorities concerned to stop the operation of battery-powered rickshaws on the streets of the Dhaka metropolitan area within the next three days.
The bench of Justice Fatima Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued this order after hearing a writ petition.
Earlier, Brihottor Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Malik Oikya Jote President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali filed the petition with the High Court.
During yesterday's hearing, the court also issued a rule asking why the petition's respondents' inaction to stop the operation of the battery-powered rickshaws should not be declared illegal.
Sources at Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said battery-powered rickshaws, vans, and similar three-wheelers have been deteriorating the road safety situation in Dhaka city for a while now. The High Court's order came after petitioners sought action in this regard, according to media reports.
Approximately 12 lakh rickshaws currently operate across the capital, with a significant portion of them being battery-powered. Additionally, many old pedal-rickshaws are being converted into motorised three-wheelers by installing batteries.
Despite multiple drives by the two city corporations of Dhaka, the operations of these illegal three-wheelers continue on city streets.
Battery-powered rickshaws are more prevalent on the side roads and alleys than on the main roads. However, they often venture onto the main roads when the opportunity arises.
Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Basila, Uttara, Bhatara, Dakkhinkhan, Uttarkhan, Moynartek, Mirpur, and Pallabi are some of the areas known to have a higher concentration of battery-run rickshaws.
[TBS correspondent Zia Chowdhury and video editor Sadiqe Al Ashfaqe contributed to this report.]
