Rajshahi City introduces odd-even number system for battery-run rickshaws

From November 1, battery-run rickshaws in Rajshahi city will be allowed on the roads according to their new registration numbers given in two categories – odd and even – at different times of the day.

The Rajshahi City Corporation is giving the new registrations bearing the new numbers to only 15,000 battery-run rickshaws out of an existing 25,000 to reduce traffic jams in the city.

The date for renewal of their registrations with the new odd and even numbers will end tomorrow.

There are now 10,000 battery-run rickshaws with two seats and 15,000 with six seats in the city. With the new move, the 10,000 will be reduced to 5,000 and the 15,000 to 10,000.

Even numbered rickshaws have to be painted a maroon colour while the odd-numbered ones will have to be a specific yellowish-green colour.

Battery-run rickshaws of any other colour will not be allowed to run in the city.

Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman of Rajshahi City said, "The number of battery-run rickshaws in the city has increased to several times more than is required. The excessive number of these vehicles create severe traffic jams. Besides, several rickshaws are using a single registration number. That is why new regulations have been formed to bring back discipline on the roads and reduce traffic jams."

The decision of introducing two colours was taken in July, said the mayor.

"We have been explaining the necessity of doing this to drivers since then. We just extended the time for the sake of the owners and drivers of the rickshaws," he added.

The new rules allow maroon coloured rickshaws on the roads from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the yellowish-green coloured ones from 2:30 pm to 10:00 pm in the first and third week of the month.

The timings will be swopped for these coloured rickshaws in the second and fourth weeks of the month.

However, rickshaws of both colours will be allowed on the roads at the same time all day on Fridays and public holidays.

There is no restriction on the use of either coloured rickshaws from 10:30 pm to dawn.

A circular from the RCC says that there will be spot-checks on the roads to make sure that rickshaws adhere to the new regulations of the city corporation from November 1.

Rickshaw drivers are required to keep their licenses and the registration cards of the rickshaws with them at all times.

Those who have not collected or applied for their new registration cards are instructed to collect or apply for getting the new ones by tomorrow. Otherwise, the current registrations for this year will be cancelled, says the circular.

The circular also says that battery-run rickshaw with thin tyres will not be allowed in the city.

Former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Haque said in 2016 that the odd-even number system like the one used in Delhi will be introduced in Dhaka from 2017.

Vehicles with even and odd number registration will be allowed on the road on alternative days respectively, he said.