Due to the lockdown and current restrictions ongoing, all small and big passenger transport including public transport except rickshaws are closed. In such situation, rickshaws are running on empty roads.
This has become the only reliable means of transportation for the people of Moulvibazar. However, the rickshaw pullers said that the income is less than other times as there are less people in the city.
The government has announced a seven-day lockdown to curb the rise of Covid-19 infection. Public transport, government-private offices, courts are closed due to that.
All business establishments have been closed except for daily necessities. Rickshaws are running across the empty roads across the district town. As a result, those who are going out in case of emergency are forced to rely on rickshaws.
It can be seen that even on the second day of the ongoing lockdown, some people have left their homes since morning. They have to face interrogation at police check posts in different parts of the city.
These ordinary people are in dire condition as they do not get vehicles on the road in case of urgent need. Some are walking to their destination. Many have been seen using rickshaws again.
Talking to rickshaw puller Shafiq Miah in Chaumohana area of Moulvibazar town, he said the number of passengers from Thursday to Friday is much less. The government is telling people not to leave the house, but if he does not leave the house, he will have no option to manage food for his family. Rickshaws from the garages have to be rented for Tk 60 but by noon only Tk 90 has been earned. On a normal day, he used to earn Tk 250-300 by this time, he said.
Another rickshaw puller by the name of Nitai said that there are parents and two younger sisters in the family, the family runs on his income. If the wheel of the rickshaw does not turn, eating will stop, so he took the rickshaw out at seven in the morning. He earned Tk 40 till 12 noon. Rickshaw garage had to be rented for Tk 60.
A few people from the town's TC Market said that the price of everything in the market during lockdown is a bit high. People have to buy vegetables at higher price. There is no opportunity to bargain. Rickshaw fares are also higher, so they have to return to their houses on foot.
A relative of a patient admitted to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital said all small vehicles including CNG and easy bikes were stopped. Rickshaws are now the only way to get to the hospital from outside the city. He is going to the hospital by rickshaw.
Moulvibazar Municipality Mayor Fazlur Rahman said three teams led by the district administration as well as councilors are monitoring the city to curb the rise of Covid-19 infection in Moulvibazar town and enforce government restrictions. Those who are leaving their homes in case of emergency are going to their destination by rickshaw.