Dhaka, July 10 – Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam said QR code will be set up in registered legal rickshaws to identify illegal ones. He also announced that except on lanes for non-mechanical transport or by lanes, no rickshaw can ply on three main roads, where rickshaws have been banned.
The mayor disclosed this while addressing a meeting with rickshaw-pullers, owners and ward representatives at Nagar Bhaban in capital’s Gulshan area yesterday.
No rickshaws will be allowed on main roads. Rickshaws can be run on By-lanes.
Atiqul said, “The decision to ban rickshaws on the three main thoroughfares in the capital will continue. Besides, we will form a ward-based committee to identify illegal rickshaws and garages. Registered rickshaws will be given QR code in the City Corporation area. The most advanced technology and technicians will be utilized so that it cannot be duplicated.”
Atiqul Islam said, “Database will be made for rickshaw-puller. Ward-based dress will be distributed. There is a database of 27,500 rickshaws in City Corporation.”
Mayor Atiqul said, “The total length of the roads in Dhaka is about 23 thousand kilometres. We slapped the ban on rickshaw only just 15 kilometers of the roads. We have a plan to free Dhaka roads from rickshaw within two years.”
Mayor Atiqul organized the meeting after a two-day protest by rickshaw pullers demanding that the ban on plying of rickshaws on three major thoroughfares of the city be lifted.
Earlier, Thousands of rickshaw-pullers on Monday and Tuesday blocked different city roads, including Pragati Sarani at Kuril, Rampura, Badda and Malibagh points protesting rickshaw ban on three major roads in the capital.
They began demonstration by blocking the roads and after receiving assurances from law enforcers, they withdrew their protests until Thursday but promised a tougher protest if their demands are not met within that period.
Meanwhile, Rickshaw-pullers have postponed their demonstration demanding the withdrawal of rickshaw ban until further decision.
General Secretary of Jatiya Rickshaw Van Sramik League Insur Ali announced this at a press conference at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city yesterday.
In his speech, Insur also hailed the Prime Minister’s directive to the authorities concerned to ensure separate lane for slow moving vehicles on all highways of the country.
The Prime Minister made a number of directives on Tuesday’s Ecnec meeting out of which a directive has been made to ensure discrete lane for slow vehicles meant for rickshaws, carts and vans on all highways. – Staff Reporter
