Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given clearance to plying of battery-powered rickshaws only in Dhaka city considering the suffering of low-income people and impacts of commodity prices amid the ongoing global crises, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Monday.
"But, the movement of battery-run auto-rickshaws will remain suspended on 22 highways of the country as per earlier decision," he said while addressing a discussion at the Awami League's Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital.
The discussion was held on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Awami Olama League.
Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said: "We are coming up with new policy. Which is the first priority - livelihood or life? If an easybike collides with a truck and bus, none riding by bus or truck will suffer but all the passengers and drivers of the easybike will be killed. In such situation, we have restricted the movement of easybikes on the 22 highways."
He said Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has been asked to hold a meeting with the representatives of auto-rickshaw drivers and talk to them to this end.
Noting that training of drivers and vehicle size should be brought under a rule, the road transport and bridges minister said the size and wheels of vehicles should be realistic, while BRTA will take effective measures to reach the instructions that the premier has given in this regard to
all. Earlier on May 15, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader instructed the authorities concerned to take steps to stop the movement of battery-run three-wheelers on the roads in
Dhaka city. The ban on the three-wheelers sparked violent protests by drivers in the capital's Mirpur area on Sunday.
Protesters vandalised various vehicles, including buses, on the southern road of the fire service in the Mirpur-10 area and set fire to two traffic police boxes in the Kalshi area.
Meanwhile, at least 37 people were arrested in four cases filed at different police stations following Sunday's clashes in Dhaka's Mirpur area, protesting a ban on battery-run three-wheelers.
The cases were filed against around 2,500 people, Jasim Uddin Mollah, deputy commissioner of Mirpur Division Police, confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Of the cases, two were filed at Pallabi Police Station, one each with Kafrul and Mirpur Model Police Stations, he added.
Pallabi Police Station OC Apurba Hasan said they have arrested 15 people in the two cases.
Munshi Sabbir, OC of Mirpur Model Police Station, said 10 people were arrested in a case filed at the station.
Meanwhile, 12 rickshaw drivers were arrested by Kafrul Police Station, said OC Faruqul Alam.
"When they were obstructed, they attacked the police. The agitators also vandalised at least 10 police vehicles," said DC Jasim.
