Govt to control battery-run rickshaws

The interim government on Monday decided to soon reintroduce electronic traffic signs system, control the number of battery-run rickshaws, and gear up drive against all illegal vehicles in a bid to improve the capital's traffic.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Lt. Gen. (retd.) Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the chief advisor (CA) on defence and national integration development.

M Khuda Baksh, special assistant to the CA on home affairs; Dr SM Salehuddin, transport expert; and top officials of DhakaTransport Coordination Authorities, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and two city corporations of Dhaka participated in the meeting.

A total of 4,200 police personnel and 600 student volunteers were deployed to improve the traffic situation in the city, according to information from the meeting.

Moreover, law enforcers fined 45,457 battery-run rickshaws and 5,979 rickshaws during September 1 to December 31 last year.

The authorities will reintroduce electronic signalling system developed by local technologists within February 6, and operate it in four intersections in the city under a pilot project, according to a decision from the meeting.

Another 18 intersections will come under this project if the initial one is successful.

Besides, the authorities also took steps to formulate a policy to control battery-run rickshaws in the city.

The meeting instructed the police administration to ensure that buses stop in the designated stands.

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