A case for motorised rickshaws

Nine million people of capital Dhaka belong to middle, lower middle and poor classes. They are a significant driving force behind development. These people do not have their own vehicles nor do they get these from their employers. The public transport system is inadequate. Whatever bus service is available does not cover all desired destinations. Taxicabs are out of their reach owing to exorbitant fares. Auto-rickshaws are costly and seldom found when in need.

Two decades ago, rickshaws used to ply most of the roads in the capital and common people could travel to their destinations at an affordable cost. The government has since made one road after another off-limits to rickshaws, supposedly to ease traffic congestion, without arranging any suitable alternatives for commuters at large.

Recently, an innovation is witnessed on the streets in Dhaka. DC motors and gears have been incorporated in traditional human- pulled rickshaws, which are energised by rechargeable batteries, making the traditional rickshaws operate like easy bike. This change in the rickshaws has increased their speed and restored human dignity to rickshaw-pullers. But the authorities are reluctant to encourage modernisation of rickshaws. Besides, these rickshaw-pullers charge the same fare as traditional ones.

The batteries used are charged by electricity between night and dawn that costs around Tk 20 only. A charged battery can power a rickshaw to run for approximately 8 to 10 hours. From midnight to dawn, the demand for electricity goes down by 40 per cent in comparison to the peak hours. Besides, the poor rickshaw-pullers can have a share of the government's subsidised electricity by consuming electricity to charge rickshaw battery.

Thus, to promote the use of the battery-run rickshaws, the Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation authorities should issue licenses to these for plying on the streets of their respective areas. The traffic department should withdraw all restrictions on the movement of motorised rickshaws on the streets, except the main roads.  

mah120cb@yahoo.com