CAB for more CNG -run autos, BRTC buses in Chittagong city

Our Correspondent CHITTAGONG, Apr 29: Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has demanded withdrawal of all old vehicles from the city streets as those are prone to frequent accidents causing human casualties. CAB Chittagong leaders today met with Divisional Commissioner Mohd Abdullah at his office to place their demands that also include issuing licence for 4000 compressed natural gas (CNG) fired auto-rickshaws and 100 double-decker BRTC buses in the metropolitan city. The CNG auto-rickshaws claim exorbitant fair from the port city citizens because this mode of transport is favoured by people while ramshackle city buses have become risky, they said. "Students of different schools are the worst victims to this situation and office-goers' suffering mounts," said the leaders. CAB central committee member SM Nazer Hussain led the team which included M Nasirul Huq, A Wahab Chowdhury, Haji Abu Taher, Abida Azad among others. The leaders said that following the demands the Ministry of Communications decided to issue licences for 4000 new CNG autos for Chittagong city on March 13, 2013. But a group of auto-rickshaw owners have stood against the decision to hold the passengers hostage, for which the government is dilly-dallying in issuance of licences. The CAB leaders also urged the Commissioner to strengthen vigilance by government teams in the consumer goods market which are selling sub-standard goods. Vigilance teams formed during the last Ramadan by local administration should be more strengthened, they said. Divisional Commissioner said the demands deserve attention and he would take the issues with the proper authorities for taking steps to remove people's sufferings.