Easing CNG-run auto-rickshaws' import

CNG-run auto-rickshaw is a popular mode of transport in big cities like Dhaka. It is often used by the office-goers who do not have private cars. It is one of the fastest means of commuting in the city. So, when a patient needs to be rushed to a hospital or an examinee needs to appear an examination hall quickly, CNGs are one of the best possible solutions. Currently, a total of 15,696 CNG-run auto rickshaws are reportedly in service in the capital. But the demand in the capital city is nearly three to four times than the CNGs exist.

Public bus service in our cities is frustrating. Besides, there are many places where one cannot reach by bus service. Taxi cab service is not affordable for most of the city dwellers. This is why, we hugely rely on these four-stroke three wheelers. However, the auto-rickshaw drivers, debunking the metered bill system introduced by the government, charge fares from commuters at their sweet will. According to a study, nearly 96 per cent of the CNG-run three-wheelers in Dhaka city ply on contract basis, thus charging exorbitant fare from the passengers. The drivers say they have no way but to charge more as owners extract higher rent from them than the government fixed rate of Tk 900 per day. On the other hand, the owners claim that they charge more from drivers because the actual cost of getting a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the road should be around Tk 400,000, but they have to spend more than Tk 1,400,000.

The situation has increased the suffering of the middle and lower-middle class people. So, I would like to urge the authorities concerned to ease the import policy for CNG-run auto-rickshaws by withdrawing all sorts of financial and administrative restrictions on their import. And it will ultimately help the city commuters use these three-wheelers affordably.

Md. Ashraf Hossain,

120, Middle Bashabo, Dhaka-1214,

mah120cb@yahoo.com