Rickshaws and traffic system

Too many illegal rickshaws have virtually chocked our city traffic. With fast moving vehicles, slow-moving rickshaws are totally incompatible. I think, our policymakers need to think about gradually decreasing the number of rickshaws from our city so that traffic jam can be eased to some extent.  

It is clear that no long-term planning is being considered to solve this perennial problem. The ruling party leaders are reluctant to think about this as it will make thousands of rickshaw-pullers unemployed and create resentment but someone has to do the job pragmatically.

I am not suggesting for vanishing rickshaws from our roads and streets overnight but gradually we have to say goodbye to rickshaws from Dhaka's streets and roads.

The number of registered rickshaws is one hundred thousand but on the roads we see more than three thousand rickshaws. Before banning rickshaws, the government has to arrange alternative transports for the city dwellers so that they can move from one corner of the city to the other with ease and comfort.

We have to think about creating employment opportunities for rickshaw-pullers so that they can earn their bread in other vocations.

Masud Rana

Dhanmondi  Dhaka