Rickshaws to be banned from key Ctg road 

Traffic department of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has decided to impose ban on rickshaw movement on the Dewanhat-Barik Building road in Chattogram to ease traffic congestion.

The decision will be put into force from November 6, said Tarik Ahmed, deputy commissioner of traffic police.

Tarik Ahmed said, "The decision was taken following a meeting between the leaders of the Rickshaw Owners Association and Chattogram City Corporation. Hopefully, there will be no obstacle in implementing the decision. Besides, campaigns will be launched to inform people in this regard."

A yellow coloured uniform has been fixed for the rickshaw drivers of the port city and the Rickshaw Owners Association has been asked to collect the uniform within 15 days, said the DC.

Gradually the other key roads of the port city will be made off-limits to rickshaws to improve the traffic situation, he added.

Expressing solidarity with the traffic police the President of Metropolitan Rickshaw Owners Association Siddique Mia said that they have accepted the decision to bring discipline on the road.

Most of the banks are located in Agrabad commercial area and thousands of vehicles drive through the Dewanhat-Barik Building road every day. In addition, passengers going to the airport and the Chittagong Export Processing Area and the Karnaphuli Export Processing Area use this road. Hence, there is a huge tailback on this road on a regular basis.

However, rickshaws are allowed to ply on the connecting roads in the area, the traffic department said.