The Dhaka Metropolitan Police traffic division announced on Saturday that battery-run auto-rickshaws, locally made three-wheelers, and other slow-moving vehicles would no longer be allowed on main roads in the city.
DMP joint commissioner for traffic-south SM Mehedi Hasan made the announcement at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre, stating that the decision would be enforced alongside existing laws.
鈥榃e have started designating smaller roads for these vehicles and already selected some roads in Dhanmondi area. Slow-moving vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, will not be allowed on major roads such as Pragati Smarani and VIP Road. We are coordinating planning and enforcement together,鈥� said Mehedi Hasan.
Roksana Afroz Asha, treasurer of the Three Wheelers Sangram Parishad, stated that their organisation never intended for auto-rickshaws to ply on main roads.
鈥榃e don鈥檛 even know why DMP is raising the issue. Our demand is clear 鈥� the government must ensure designated roads for auto-rickshaws and issue licenses for these,鈥� Roksana said, adding, 鈥榃e typically operate the vehicles in alleys and local areas.鈥�
Following clashes between police and battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers in late May, prime minister Sheikh Hasina allowed the vehicles on Dhaka city roads. Since then, the number of auto-rickshaws on city roads had increased significantly.
