Unemployment rate has increased at the Katiadi upazilaof Kishoreganj in the last one and a half years due to the global corona pandemic. Due to the unemployment rate, criminal activities increased rapidly in the area. Recently, the situation changed due to the increasing number of auto-rickshaws in road as many are trying to live an honest life by operating these battery-powered rickshaws.
It is learned that battery-powered auto-rickshaws have recently increased in Katiadi Upazila. Unemployed youths in rural areas are currently making a living by driving auto-rickshaws. A section of those who lost their jobs in nationwide lockdown are now self-sufficient by driving auto-rickshaws. As a result, on the one hand, the number of unemployed is decreasing, on the other hand, economic prosperity is improving.
According to private sources, there are more than 4,000 to 5,000 battery-powered auto-rickshaws in the upazila. Most of the drivers aged 20 to 30 year. They are fighting for their livelihood.
Locals said that most of the people who have auto-rickshaws take the vehicles through NGOs or in installments. Some people buy auto-rickshaws with cash. Such numbers are very low. The drivers think that they are making a living by driving auto-rickshaws.
Because many people are upset in the Covid-19crisis. So many young people are becoming economically self-sufficient through auto-rickshaws. And especially the local NGOs, banks, their role is not less, the drivers said.
Imran Hussain, a youth from Masua village has worked for a company in Dhaka for a long time. However, he lost his job due to the corona virus. Imran said, 'I was unemployed for a few months after leaving the job.
There was no work at home. Then I started making a living with auto-rickshaw through installments. From then on, daily life began to change. I am currently a successful young man.’
AtaullahMia (23) of Kargaon village also bought an auto-rickshaw with loan from an NGO as he could not find any work in the area for a long time. He said, 'At present my daily income is Tk 800 to Tk 1000. Already my installment is almost at an end. I can support my family with the money I earn every day. '
Katiadi Model Police Station OC SM Shahadat Hossain said, 'The number of auto-rickshaws is increasing day by day in this upazila. Besides, the number of unemployed is also decreasing day by day. As a result, incidents like theft and looting have decreased in the villages. However, traffic congestion has increased as the number of auto-rickshaws has increased.
Therefore, if the appropriate authorities can bring them under one license, on the one hand, such road accidents will be prevented, on the other hand, the government will get revenue.
