Ban on rickshaw causes sufferings to commuters

In a bid to ease traffic congestion, the government has imposed ban on plying of rickshaws on different streets in the city that caused immense sufferings to the common people in absence of alternative transport facilities, reports UNB. Recently, Dhaka Metro­politan Police (DMP) extended a ban on rickshaws to eight new roads in addition to the 13 roads earlier declared closed to non-motorized transport like rickshaws. The new roads brought under rickshaw ban are located in Moghbazar, Mouchak-Malibagh, Bangla Motor, Matsyabhaban, Shilpakala Academy and Doel Chattar to High Court. Protesting the decision, the rickshaw-pullers and owners went on a violent rampage on March 29 damaging more than a hundred vehicles halting traffic movement on different city roads for hours. Plying of rickshaws has been reduced to a great extent at Shantinagar, Bijoynagar, Paltan, Mouchak-Malibagh, and the adjoining areas following the ban, causing sufferings to the city commuters. Moreover, such ban on rickshaws increases sufferings to the most vulnerable commuters - women, children and the disabled - as they are deprived of having their most suitable means of transport. Residents of these areas, especially school going children, now face utmost difficulties as they have to remain stranded on roads for hours together amid hot and humid weather or even in rain for rickshaws.