Thousands of CNG-run four-stroke three wheeler auto-rickshaws are illegally plying the roads in Dhaka and Chattogram.
The economic life of these auto-rickshaws has expired on December 31 last year. According to the law, these auto-rickshaws need to be scrapped.
The Ministry concerned has also directed the regulatory body of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for this. But the organisation has not taken any strict action in this regard, sources said.
Since 2001, BRTA has registered 26,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and Chattogram. Of these, 13,000 vehicles registered in Dhaka have already been scrapped and replaced.
However, 5,500 CNG-run auto-rickshaws that were manufactured in 2001, 2002 and 2003 in Chattogram have already been scrapped and replaced. Some 3,616 CNG-run auto-rickshaws manufactured in 2004 expired on December 31 in 2019. But the outdated vehicles are now operating in Chattogram city.
According to BRTA, the CNG-run auto-rickshaw registration period was nine years. Later, the registration period of the auto-rickshaws was extended to 15 years in three phases. The 15-year term ended on December 31 last year. At present, these CNG-run auto-rickshaws have become unfit.
However, the total number of CNG-run auto-rickshaws approved by the government in Dhaka is about 15,000. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said all these auto-rickshaws have been replaced as they have become outdated and there are no expired auto-rickshaws in Dhaka.
But, unfortunately unfit and outdated CNG-run auto-rickshaws are often seen plying freely in the busy commercial areas of Dhaka, the number of which is about 15,000, said the owners and workers organizations.
In 2001, the government allowed 12,826 CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Dhaka instead of two-stroke vehicles locally known as baby taxis, mishuks and tempos. Later, about 2,500 CNG-run auto-rickshaws were brought to Dhaka instead of mishuk and baby taxy.
Talking to the owners, it has been learnt that about 15,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws of 2002 and 2003 models were brought in Dhaka at that time, which had a lifespan of nine years. The permission for those vehicles was extended till December 2018. Then the replacement of expired CNG-run auto-rickshaws started.
Talking to BRTA officials and CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners, it was learnt that almost all CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Dhaka have been scrapped and replaced with new ones. However, some 500 auto-rickshaws have not been replaced, which they said are no longer in operation.
In Dhaka, many CNG-run auto-rickshaws are still carrying passengers with Metro 'Tha' number plates. According to BRTA, no CNG-run auto-rickshaw is supposed to run in Dhaka with this series number plate.
However, it is learnt that Dhaka Metro ‘Tha’ series CNG-run auto-rickshaws are plying freely in different areas of Dhaka including Hatirjheel, Mohakhali, Gabtali, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Rayerbazar, Mohammadpur Beribandh, Khilgaon, Banasree, Jatrabari and Jurain.
When asked, BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder told Bangladesh Post, "We have been received a letter from the ministry. Since the order has arrived, we will start working on time. We will also make an action plan and send it to the ministry."