Both city corporations resolute in enforcing rickshaw ban

Send
Shahed Shafiq
Published : 11:32, Jul 11, 2019 | Updated : 11:35, Jul 11, 2019

File Photo/Mahmud Hossain OpuTo control traffic jam in the capital, rickshaws have been banned on three routes which has triggered a protest from rickshaw pullers. They are saying that if rickshaws are withdrawn then they will suffer, though the two city corporations are resolute in their decision.
On Sunday (Jul 7), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon said that rickshaws will be banned on three routes: Kuril-Rampura-Sayedabad, Gabtali-Asad Gate-Azimpur and Science Lab-Shahbagh.
On the first day of the enforcement of the restriction, rickshaw pullers began a movement demanding to be rehabilitated. However, both the city corporations are unwilling to capitulate to the demands of the rickshaw pullers and owners, stating that of nearly 2,300km road, rickshaws have been banned on only 20-25km road.
The decision to ban rickshaws was taken as several roads have become narrow due to metro rail construction.
Sayeed Khokon, said: “Rickshaws slow down traffic on main roads; this city has to be saved and the decision was taken for the best of the residents.”
Some people are trying to inflame the situation by inciting the rickshaw pullers, alleged the mayor.
The same sentiment was voiced by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam: “Rickshaws won’t be allowed on the main roads; once rickshaws are removed, traffic movement will ease.”
A bus driver supports the decision of the city corporations, saying: “Due to rickshaws, the trip from Kuril to Jatrabari took almost 2 hours which has now come down to under one hour.”
Two city corporations have 80,473 licenced rickshaws; of this, 52,753 are in Dhaka south and 26,720 in Dhaka north. However, there are more than 800,000 rickshaws. No licence was given after 1986.

/tf/
Top