Owners, drivers and workers of different modes of three-wheelers continued their agitation on Sunday, the second consecutive day, in different areas of the country protesting the government's latest ban on plying of such vehicles on highways.
The protesters gathered in large numbers and halted vehicular movement on highways like Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Faridpur and Dhaka-Mymensingh demanding an immediate announcement from the authorities concerned lifting the restriction.
They also threatened to launch a countrywide transport strike in protest against the ban that cost them dear as short-distance travels on highways were their main source of incomes.
The ban also caused immense sufferings to such highway passengers, who had to wait long before boarding vehicles on the way to their respective destinations throughout the day.
The government slapped the ban on the three-wheelers like CNG-run auto-rickshaws, locally-made human-haulers and other such vehicles to lessen the number of road accidents. The ban came into effect on Saturday last.
Because of the protests, long tailbacks were witnessed on the highways. Traffic police found it difficult to handle the situation.
In Narayanganj the blockade was enforced for nearly an hour starting from 11:00am. In Chittagong CNG and auto-rickshaw drivers and owners blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Faujdarhat around noon.
More than 1,000 three-wheelers' owners, drivers and workers staged a demonstration on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at Savar in Dhaka by halting traffic. They warned the government agencies concerned of tougher movement, if the restriction was not lifted.
Later, police brought the situation under control on the highways by dispersing the demonstrators that led to nagging traffic congestions.
Talking to the FE, a 32-year-old driver Sirajul Islam, who ran a CNG-fired auto-rickshaw on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, said three-wheelers became a popular mode of transport on the highways for short-distance passengers in the absence of adequate transports for them.
He said he earned Tk 600 to Tk 700 per day, excluding other costs including charges, before the ban. If the government did not allow them on highways, their income would decline substantially and that would put them in serious trouble with their families.
"It's inhuman and illogical decision….the government should think about alternatives before taking any such decision," he said.
Talking about the issue, Convener of Bangladesh Auto-rickshaw and Auto-tempo Sangram Parishad Md Golam Faruque said more than 0.15 million (1.5 lakh) auto-rickshaws and auto-tempos were running all over the country and about 1.0 to 1.2 million families were dependent on them.
"But the sudden decision on the ban came as a big blow to their families. We believe if the government introduces a lane system on highways, the accidents will decline and an order will be there on highways," he said.
He said their platform would submit a memorandum to the deputy commissioners on August 4, form human chains at district headquarters on August 8 and hold rallies in districts on August 9-11 protesting the decision.
"The government must backtrack from the decision before the situation goes beyond their control as it's a matter of survival for the protestors," he added.
When contacted, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division M AN Siddique said many people had been protesting the government move for the last few days without knowing anything.
He said they imposed restriction on plying of three wheelers on highways because of the safety of public life and properties s, but there were roads under the LGED, municipalities and city corporations, where their access was allowed.
"There is no reason to step back from the decision. We will execute the ban to make the highways safer," he added.
Our Correspondent from Chittagong adds: Local auto-rickshaw and tempo owners and drivers demonstrated on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Sitakunda and Fouzderhat for an hour on the day protesting the ban.
About three hundred CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners and drivers demonstrated and blockaded the highway causing severe gridlock.
The law-enforcers rushed in and warned them against demonstration on the highway, as vehicles on both sides of the highway were caught in severe tailbacks.
Sitakunda upazila chairman S M Al Mamun, ASP of Chittagong Mostafizur Rahman, inspector of Chittagong district traffic police Mir Golam Faruk and the OC of Sitakunda talked to them.
On assurance that their demand would be conveyed to the authorities, at around 1.00 pm the demonstrators withdrew their programme.
President of Sitakunda CNG Auto-rickshaw Owners Association Nur Mohammed said they had withdrawn the programme, but would demonstrate on the road again, if their demand was not met shortly.
District traffic inspector Mir Golam Faruk said, "We have told them to apply to the proper authority seeking permission for plying their vehicles. None will be allowed to create congestions on the highway."
jubairfe1980@gmail.com and
pankajdastider@gmail.com
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
