DMP guideline afoot to regulate battery-run autos

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali has said a process is well underway to prepare a new guideline to regulate battery-run auto-rickshaws plying the city's streets.

The proposed guideline will stipulate that a single person will not be able to own more than one battery-run auto-rickshaw, according to him.

Again, the driver and the owner of an auto-rickshaw will be the same person.

Mr Ali disclosed this at a meeting with the owners and drivers of battery-run vehicles at DMP headquarters on Thursday.

He, however, said battery-run auto-rickshaws in some cases create employment opportunities, but they also make some problems. "So, we have to settle these problems," he added.

The commissioner directed traffic officials to take legal measures so that such vehicles cannot enter the capital from outside Dhaka.

He called upon the stakeholders concerned to remain vigilant so that battery-run autos could not ply main roads where buses and others vehicles operate.

Issuing a warning against extortion in the transport sector, he said any form of extortion would not be tolerated.

He urged transport owners and workers not to give any extortion. "Inform the nearby police station if anyone or group demands extortion from you."

The representatives of auto-rickshaw owners and workers associations raised a number of issues to the DMP commissioner and sought his intervention to address them.

Additional police commissioner (traffic) Md Sarwar, joint police commissioners and deputy police commissioners were also present.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com