BRTA move to distribute registration certificates among drivers stayed
Friday, 12 September 2008
Mahmuda Shaolin
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has suspended an initiative to distribute 'registration certificate' for 5000 new CNG-run three-wheeler auto-rickshaws for three months following a court order.
The BRTA took the decision when a Dhaka court gave a stay order in response to a writ filed by Dhaka Mahanagar CNG-three-wheelers Babshayee Malik Samiti challenging BRTA's plan of allowing 5000 new CNG-run three-wheelers to ply on the city streets.
As per its earlier decision, the BRTA planned to distribute registration certificates among the drivers having valid licences for CNG-run three-wheelers after Eid-ul-Fitr. But Malik Samiti has opposed the BRTA's move saying that the owners should also be given permission to apply for 'registration certificate' for auto-rickshaws.
The BRTA sought applications from drivers with valid licence during the period from July 28 to August 31 last for giving permission to operate more CNG-run three-wheeler auto-rickshaws and it received a total of 32,00 applications during the period.
"We've decided to give permission to run 3000 new auto-rickshaws among the 32,000 applicants that BRTA received until the deadline of submitting the application by the genuine auto-rickshaw drivers," said a high BRTA official.
The BRTA will select 3000 drivers from among the applicants through lottery and give them 'registration certificate' which will help them buy and drive auto-rickshaws in the city, he said.
Sources said the government decided to allow 5,000 more auto rickshaws to ply on the city streets to improve the city's transportation system. But, later the government decided to give permission to 3000 new auto-rickshaws aiming to reduce traffic jam, another BRTA official said.
Drivers whose auto-rickshaw licences were issued or endorsed or renewed before November 6, 2007 were eligible to apply for registration certificate. Each applicant paid Tk 50 through treasury challan to Bangladesh Bank or any selected branches of Sonali Bank Limited in the city.
Drivers collected application forms and submitted them to BRTA (motor driving licence), Dhaka Circle (North), Mirpur-13 and BRTA (motor driving licence), Dhaka Circle (South), Ekuria, Keraniganj.
After getting 'registration certificate' from the BRTA, the drivers will have to buy the CNG auto-rickshaws within the next three-month time. They will have to collect registration and route permit from the authorities concerned.
The selected drivers will not be able to sell, handover and give mortgage or appoint any driver to drive the auto-rickshaw, said the BRTA official.
But on humanitarian ground, any selected driver will be able to sell or handover his auto-rickshaw only to those who will be placed in the waiting list by BRTA for registration certificate or have valid driving licence for auto-rickshaw operation.
Currently, a total of 13,000 three-wheeler auto-rickshaws are plying on the city streets.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has suspended an initiative to distribute 'registration certificate' for 5000 new CNG-run three-wheeler auto-rickshaws for three months following a court order.
The BRTA took the decision when a Dhaka court gave a stay order in response to a writ filed by Dhaka Mahanagar CNG-three-wheelers Babshayee Malik Samiti challenging BRTA's plan of allowing 5000 new CNG-run three-wheelers to ply on the city streets.
As per its earlier decision, the BRTA planned to distribute registration certificates among the drivers having valid licences for CNG-run three-wheelers after Eid-ul-Fitr. But Malik Samiti has opposed the BRTA's move saying that the owners should also be given permission to apply for 'registration certificate' for auto-rickshaws.
The BRTA sought applications from drivers with valid licence during the period from July 28 to August 31 last for giving permission to operate more CNG-run three-wheeler auto-rickshaws and it received a total of 32,00 applications during the period.
"We've decided to give permission to run 3000 new auto-rickshaws among the 32,000 applicants that BRTA received until the deadline of submitting the application by the genuine auto-rickshaw drivers," said a high BRTA official.
The BRTA will select 3000 drivers from among the applicants through lottery and give them 'registration certificate' which will help them buy and drive auto-rickshaws in the city, he said.
Sources said the government decided to allow 5,000 more auto rickshaws to ply on the city streets to improve the city's transportation system. But, later the government decided to give permission to 3000 new auto-rickshaws aiming to reduce traffic jam, another BRTA official said.
Drivers whose auto-rickshaw licences were issued or endorsed or renewed before November 6, 2007 were eligible to apply for registration certificate. Each applicant paid Tk 50 through treasury challan to Bangladesh Bank or any selected branches of Sonali Bank Limited in the city.
Drivers collected application forms and submitted them to BRTA (motor driving licence), Dhaka Circle (North), Mirpur-13 and BRTA (motor driving licence), Dhaka Circle (South), Ekuria, Keraniganj.
After getting 'registration certificate' from the BRTA, the drivers will have to buy the CNG auto-rickshaws within the next three-month time. They will have to collect registration and route permit from the authorities concerned.
The selected drivers will not be able to sell, handover and give mortgage or appoint any driver to drive the auto-rickshaw, said the BRTA official.
But on humanitarian ground, any selected driver will be able to sell or handover his auto-rickshaw only to those who will be placed in the waiting list by BRTA for registration certificate or have valid driving licence for auto-rickshaw operation.
Currently, a total of 13,000 three-wheeler auto-rickshaws are plying on the city streets.