CNG-run auto-rickshaw strike in city from today

Dhaka Metropolitan CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Malik Samity Oikya Parishad will go on a 72-hour strike in the city today (Tuesday) demanding the extension of economic lifespan of the vehicle by four years more.

Nearly 13,000 CNG-run three-wheelers are now plying the city streets commercially and the economic lifespan of an auto-rickshaw is 11 years.

Talking to UNB, member secretary of the Oikya Parishad ATM Nazmul Hasan said they took the decision at an emergency meeting held at its temporary office in the city Monday.

He said the Mechanical Engineering Department of Buet recommended extending the economic lifetime of the three-wheelers to 15 years after testing the vehicles six months ago. Even a nine-member committee formed by the ministry of communications also suggested extending the life term by four years, he added.

Despite the recommendations of Buet and the ministerial committee, no decision has been taken in this connection as yet due to bureaucratic tangles, Nazmul alleged.

"If the government does not concede to our demand, we'll go on an indefinite strike from Sunday next," he warned.