Drivers of CNG-powered vehicles stage demonstrations by blocking roads in various parts of the capital city on Sunday in protest against the government decision to fine them if they charge passengers more than the amount on the meters. The photo is taken from Dholaipar area. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam 
In the face of protests by CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Sunday withdrew its order to enforce meter-based fares or realise fines or award jail terms for overcharging passengers.
The government withdrew the directive after six days of its issuance.
Drivers of the compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered auto-rickshaws staged protest and blocked roads at different parts in the city on Sunday morning mainly demanding withdrawal of the BRTA order and repeal of the anti-transport workers related sections from the Road Transport Act (RTA).
The BRTA on February 10 issued a directive to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to launch drive against the CNG-run auto-rickshaw divers who will not use metres and file cases against them under the RTA 2018.
Section 35 (3) of the RTA states contract carriage owners and drivers are bound to take trips within route permit areas following meters and cannot charge extra from passengers.
In case of violation of the section, section 81 also states about six-month imprisonment or highest Tk50,000 fine or both punishments and cut of one point in the case of drivers.
Though soon after the BRTA canceled the office order, the CNG drivers under the banner Dhaka-Chattogram Districts CNG Auto-rickshaw Worker's Unity Council withdrew the blockade.
The aggrieved CNG drivers blocked the entry and exit points of the city including Dhaka-Chattogram highway, Dhaka-Mawa highway, Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, Mirpur and Dholaipar, which also halted movement of other modes of transport.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association criticised the BRTA for withdrawing its office order bowing down to the CNG drivers who created anarchy in the city on one-point demand of not abiding by meter charge holding passengers hostage.
According to BRTA data, the Dhaka and Chattogram cities have more than 13,000 approved CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
In addition, 2,696 auto-rickshaws obtained permission for replacing three-wheeler Mishuks.
Since CNG-run auto-rickshaws were introduced in the city in early 2000s replacing polluter two-stroke auto-rickshaws fixing rates for per kilometer and waiting time with metre system, the drivers were not ready to accept the rate from the beginning.
The BRTA adjusted the distance-wise fares on September, 2015 increasing the first 2.0km rate at Tk40 from Tk20 and Tk12 for additional per km with waiting time Tk2.0 per minute.
It also fixed Tk900 as daily deposit to the main CNG owners as the three-stroke small passenger vehicles are owned by another group.
BPWA in a press release claimed that 26,996 CNG auto-rickshaws plied the city streets by creating a syndicate with involvement of the then Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader and his family members, a section of BRTA officials, members of the CNG Autorickshaw Owners Association, Dhaka Autorickshaw Workers Union, Bangladesh Paribahan Shramik League and a group of dealers of Uttara Motors.
The press release signed by its President Mohammad Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said the BRTA order is nothing but a provocation by the syndicate as it was simply an old law under the RTA for realising highest Tk50,000 fine for overcharging and violation of laws by the CNG auto-rickshaw operators.
Meanwhile, in a press conference after the withdrawal of the blockade, the Dhaka-Chattogram Districts CNG Auto-rickshaw Worker's Unity Council announced a fresh programme to press for its demand for withdrawal of anti- transport workers sections from the RTA, among others.
The statement read out by Office Secretary Abdul Jabbar Mia also demanded revision of fare rates considering passage of 10 years since the last revision was done.
The announced two-month long programme includes demonstration by CNG drivers at the National Press Club on February 20, a human chain at Chottogram Press Club on February 25, the BRTA headquarter gherao on February 27, demonstration demanding Eid bonus on March 20 and 24 hours' strike on April 15.
Convener Ruhul Amin Munshi and Joint Convener Shakhawat Hossain Dulal were present.
smunima@yahoo.com
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