Battery-run hazardous rickshaws ply roads at will, none there to stop them

---

Munima Sultana | Published: January 08, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

---

Although battery or motor-operated rickshaws have been proven to be unsafe for passengers, its number has been increasing alarmingly in the capital in the recent days owing to the authorities' apathy.
At least five ministries are responsible for checking the plying of the hazardous vehicles. None of them has so far taken any action against the new urban menace.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the regulatory and enforcement body for the road and transport sector under the ministry of communications, has passed the buck to the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), saying they only deal with the transports which are legal.
BRTA officials said the Motor Vehicles Act which they apply to regulate vehicles does not have any scope to trap 'illegal motorised' transports.
Interestingly, DCC, which belongs to the ministry of local government and rural development, has a long history of not paying any attention to checking of pedalled rickshaws.
Sources said when the DCC has totally kept its eyes closed on the illegal rickshaws' plying, how one can expect it should look into the matter of checking motor or battery-operated rickshaws.
Transport experts said with the increase in these small passenger-capacity vehicles, the pilferage of electricity for charging batteries has soared. Neither the power division under the energy ministry nor the law enforcing agencies under the home ministry take any action against those who are in the 'business'.
In absence of proper initiatives, it has been found that the mechanical rickshaws, which were hardly available on the streets a year ago, have now captured many major streets in the capital under the very nose of law enforcing agencies and transport regulation authorities.
 "Initially it (battery-operated rickshaw) used to be found in the lanes and alleys on the outskirts of the city. Now in many busy areas even, there are hardly any traditional rickshaws," said Mr Tawhid, a banker, who has been observing the growth of this risky vehicle over the last six months.
The number of both battery and motor-operated rickshaws has increased during the ongoing political programmes as the drivers could easily come to the main thoroughfares in absence of other transports and the traffic regulations.
Traffic experts said it has already become a concern for the city's traffic system as these kinds of rickshaws do not have the standard brake system, speed control and scientific turning facilities.
It has not only created extra burden for the national power grid with the pilferage of the costly electricity used for charging batteries for at least five hours, but it is also causing misuse of hard-earned foreign currencies in importing batteries.
Hospital sources said they get almost every day one or two cases having minor to major injuries due to riding the unmanageable motor-operated rickshaws.
While talking to a number of drivers of battery or motor-operated rickshaws, it was found that a good number of workshops have developed in almost all areas in the city including Rayerbazar, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Hazaribagh, Khilgaon, Basabo, Karwan Bazar, Shantinagar, Badda, Bonoshree etc.
The drivers and automobile technicians said there are hardly any traditional rickshaw workshops now in any areas of the city. Almost all the old ones have been converted into electrical rickshaws.
Unofficial statistics shows that about 50 mechanics are engaged in readying the non-compliance rickshaws and the number is increasing every day.
A rickshaw-puller, Majid Mia, said they have to make monthly payments to police stations to run their vehicles.
Professor Shamsul Haque of BUET said the demand for the battery-operated and motor-run rickshaws has increased for the interest of three groups - owners, drivers and riders.
He, however, said this small passenger-capacity transport is causing severe damage to the perspective road efficiency, as it makes high passenger-capacity buses 'unpopular' by grabbing the roads' maximum capacity.
He said for the long-term traffic solution, the government's focus on introducing mass transport system or more bus services would be in jeopardy if immediate actions are not taken to check these rickshaws.
 Sources said due to lack of the authorities' concern and actions, rickshaw passengers or owners' associations provides 'stickers' to legalise the unscientific vehicle.
The FE correspondent has found such an entity called Muktijoddha Paribahan Kalyan Samity, which allows these rickshaws to operate until December, 2013.
Sources said these kinds of associations are nothing but 'syndicates' run by a section of law enforcers.