Battery-run rickshaws get one-month breather

A blanket ban on battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka streets has been lifted for the time being, in the wake of massive protests across the city.
The breather came from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court that Monday issued status quo for one month on a prohibitive High Court order.
Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing an appeal petition filed by the state seeking a stay on the HC order issued earlier for a purge of the battery-driven rickshaws.
In its order, the SC said battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws could ply Dhaka's streets during this period as "the livelihoods of their owners and drivers are involved with this".
On November 19, following a writ by the 'Greater Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance', the HC asked the government to stop the run of such vehicles in three working days with intent to reduce road accidents.
The HC bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the order after hearing the writ that challenged the authorities' inaction to stop unlicensed rickshaws in Dhaka city.
On Sunday, the state filed a petition with the Chamber Judge's Court for a stay on the HC order. The judge heard the plea on Monday and issued the status quo.
Attorney-general Md Asaduzzaman appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the state, while Barrister HM Shanjid Siddique represented the state.
Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance president Zahirul Islam Masum and general secretary Momin Ali filed the writ on October 27 seeking immediate action to stop the plying of battery-run rickshaw on Dhaka's streets.
Upon hearing the petition, the HC passed the order and issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why their failure and inaction to halt the operation of these rickshaws should not be declared illegal.
It also wanted to know as to why the respondents should not be directed to take legal action against those involved with illegal electric connections for charging batteries used in those rickshaws.
Barrister Shanjid said the chamber judge asked the HC bench concerned to complete the hearing of the rule within one month.
Meanwhile, battery-run rickshaw-van and easy-bike drivers staged a demo outside the National Press Club for a second consecutive day on Monday to realise a seven-point demand for "resolving their challenges and securing livelihoods".
Transport workers under the banner of the 'Rickshaw, Battery-powered Rickshaw-Van, and Easy Bike Sangram Parishad' urged the government to take immediate steps to meet their demands.
The parishad leaders warned of further protests if their demands were not met immediately. The parishad called for the registration of electric bikes, rickshaws, and other battery-operated vehicles under existing regulatory frameworks, along with licences and route permits for drivers.
They emphasised addressing technical faults in battery-powered vehicles and ensuring their modernisation to improve efficiency and safety. The parishad demanded adequate compensation for all workers who have been injured or killed during recent mass uprisings.
Apart from this, a group of drivers blocked the Agargaon intersection on Monday morning, causing significant disruption to city commuting.
The protest, which began around 11:00 am, brought traffic to a standstill, with roads having blocked as of 12:55 pm.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali, warned Monday that any officer-in-charge (OC) who refuses to register a case at any police stations in the capital will be suspended within a minute.
He made the warnings during a meeting with autorickshaw, autovan and easybike drivers at the DMP headquarters.
During the meeting, a rickshaw-puller complained that he was beaten on Saturday and Sunday last by people at Kamrangirchar in the capital. Hearing the ordeal of the rickshaw-puller the DMP commissioner asked him why he didn't file case.
Mr Md Sajjad Ali said if there is merit for filing case, then the OC s of DMP must file the case.
"Otherwise," he warned, "OCs will be suspended within a minute if they do not register case."
About illegal toll collection he said there will be no illegal toll collection from rickshaws, vans and easy bikes.
He said that some local influential/hooligans used to collect toll from rickshaws, vans and easy bikes.
"Prompt action will be taken against police personnel if found involved in illegal toll collection," he also warned.
He said that drivers of autorickshaw, autovan and easybike will form committees headed by respective areas OCs aiming to stop extortion.
The drivers of autorickshaw, autovan and easybike put forward their demands to DMP commissioner.
They said that they are compelled to ply their rickshaws, vans and auto-rickshaws on the main roads on some occasions for the sake of their bread and butter.
They said that they would be grateful to DMP if their demands are considered.
The Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh has demanded immediate formulation of a policy for the battery-run rickshaws and other small vehicles to overcome the ongoing crisis.
The organization suggested finalizing the draft "Proper Management and Control of Three-Wheelers and Similar Motor Vehicles Rules 2021" after consulting the stakeholders and publish it through a gazette.
The organization made the appeal in a press conference held at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the city.
Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary-general of Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh, read a written statement in the press conference.
He further said there is a possibility of earning revenue of Tk 50 billion from the sector if the government provides licences to the drivers for a nominal fee and gives registration to the 4.0 million battery-run rickshaws through city corporations, Pourashavas and upazials administrations.
He at the same time recommended imposing a strict ban on the movement of easy bikes, battery-powered rickshaws, and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws on the highways, a ban on easy bikes on main roads in the country's main cities including the capital, and an urgent ban on the import of battery-powered rickshaws and parts.
Dhaka University teacher Professor Robaet Ferdous, Convener of "Rickshaw-Battery-run Rickshaw and Easy Bike Sangram Parishad" Khalequzzaman Lipon, was among others present at the press conference.
Passenger Welfare Association further suggested taking steps for ensuring road safety of battery-run rickshaws under the supervision of BUET, CUET, RUET, and the Army.

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