BSS, Dhaka
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said a decision was taken to stop plying of battery-run auto-rickshaws and vans on streets.
"The decision was taken as part of the committee recommendations to strengthen discipline in the road transport sector and check accidents," he told reporters after a meeting of the Road Transport Taskforce at the Home Ministry's conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital.
The committee had 111 recommendations, of which a number of recommendations have been implementing, while a few number of recommendations were implemented, the minister said. "Now we have decided on a course of action on how to implement the rest of recommendations," Kamal said.
Highlighting the decision of the meeting, he said, "We have noticed that rickshaws and vans are running on the roads across the country setting up batteries and motors."
The minister said that movement of Easybike, Nasimon, Karimon and Bhatvati will also be shut down on streets in phases after discussion.
"Only front wheels have brakes, but rear wheels have no brakes or even if there is a system it is inadequate. When they brake, rickshaws or vans loaded with passengers overturns. We have seen such scenes on the road," he said.
Replying to a query about road accidents due to Easybike, Nasimon and Karimon, the minister said Easybike, Nasimon, Karimon, Bhatvati and auto rickshaws have been running in different cities.
"As we could not arrange transportation everywhere, that's why Nasimon, Karimon and Bhatvati are working as an alternative transport or vehicles to carry passengers and goods," he added.
Kamal said that the task force will also discuss soon whether it can be controlled and finally closed, adding, "We will work there too."
Acting president of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Shajahan Khan, MP, president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Moshiur Rahman Ranga, MP, and Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed and other taskforce members joined it in person and virtually.
