Due to the lenient attitude of two mayors, rickshaws have returned to two major roads of the capital though the authorities concerned say that they are rigid in their stance to stop the operation of rickshaws.

On Jul 3, Dhaka South City Corporation, DSCC, mayor Sayeed Khokon, said: “from Jul 7, three routes will be off to rickshaws, these are, Kuril-Rampura-Sayedabad, Gabtoli-Asad Gate-Azimpur and Science Lab-Shahbagh.”

But on Jul 14, Sunday, rickshaws were seen on the Pragati Sarani. Rickshaw drivers claim that they got a permission from the Dhaka North City Corporation, DNCC, mayor following a meeting on Jul 10.

Reportedly, the mayor told them that rickshaws will be removed in stages, starting with the identification of illegal rickshaws.

A rickshaw driver says: “if we are not allowed on the roads then we will not be able to survive; we demand a separate lane for rickshaws.”

Another driver adds: “rickshaws do not create jams; private cars result in road clogging.”

However, the number of rickshaws at Pragati Sarani has fallen by 50 per cent while on Mirpur Road there has been an 80 per cent reduction.

Mayor Sayeed Khokon, observes: “we are firm in our position but have adopted some strategies to implement the decisions; since the roads are relatively free we will launch 20-30 BRTC buses; also, mobile courts will be placed to evict illegal rickshaws.”

DNCC mayor Md. Atiqul Islam, adds: “we have said that rickshaws will be withdrawn in stages; we cannot stop them all of a sudden.”