A driver sitting at the steering tired on the Malibagh flyover on Tuesday as his car gets stuck in a massive traffic jam caused by blockade of roads by enraged rickshaw-pullers protesting the ban on the movement of tricycles on three major roads of the city — FE photo by KAZ Sumon The troubled rickshaw pullers suspended their demonstration on Tuesday evening, giving two days' ultimatum to withdraw restrictions on the movement of their pedalled vehicles on three major city roads.
If the government does not lift the ban by July 11, they have avowed to take to the streets again.
Before issuing the ultimatum on the second day of their agitation, the pullers blocked different points of the road from Kuril to Sayedabad, severely disrupting vehicular movement.
They mainly staged demonstrations in Badda, Rampura Bridge, Rampura Bazar, Malibagh, Khilgaon rail gate, Mughda and Maniknagar points.
The agitators took position in groups from 8:30 am, barring commute of city dwellers till afternoon.
On Sunday, Dhaka's two city corporations declared Gabtoli to Azimpur via Asad Gate, Kuril to Sayedabad via Rampura and Khilgaon, and Science Lab to Shahbagh off-limits to rickshaw.
But this ban, enforced in sync with traffic department, spawned a mixed reaction from the city's residents.
Habibur Rahman, a banker, goes to office in Shahjahanpur from West Rampura by rickshaw every day.
"The government can't impose such a ban out of the blue before improving public transport system," he told the FE.
"In the circumstances," Mr Rahman said, "commuters need to wait hours to get on a bus during office time. Imagine what will happen if there is no alternative like rickshaw."
Welcoming the government's move, private car owner Rahat Hossain spoke vehemently about the removal of rickshaws from thoroughfares to ease traffic.
But it could be enforced in phases to avoid demonstration like current one, he opined.
A spot visit to Gabtoli-Azimpur road found almost no rickshaw on the restricted route, thus contributing to smooth movement of motorised vehicles.
Traffic police were seen active in checking non-motorised transport from entering the street.
Even no agitation of the pullers was seen in this part of the city over rickshaw ban.
Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon has made pleaded with the agitators not to take residents captive to press for their demands.
Inaugurating a workshop on bus reform here, he said rickshaw has been banned only on three out of hundreds of roads and lanes.
There is no scope for pullers losing their work due to this ban, Mr Khokon continued.
He said the ban is meant to ensure smooth movement on the city's north-south corridor amid chronic congestion caused by the ongoing metro rail work.
Bangladesh Rickshaw and Van Owners' Federation general secretary RA Zaman said they did not express solidarity with the ongoing protest by pullers.
His organisation will hold a press conference at its office this noon as scheduled on Saturday to hold a mass rally and submit a memorandum to the prime minister tomorrow.
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