Avoid battery-run rickshaws, don't buy anything from vendors on footpaths: Dhaka North administrator

The Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz today (24 April) urged residents to refrain from using battery-run auto-rickshaws and purchasing goods from unauthorised vendors occupying city footpaths.

Mentioning that battery-powered auto-rickshaws are illegal all over Bangladesh, Ejaz said people demanded to impose a ban on the vehicles and vendors on footpaths.

The administrator was speaking at a public hearing with residents of all wards under the city corporation zone-7, held in the capital.

"I urge everyone not to ride in these battery-powered rickshaws. If you stop using them, the operators will be discouraged," he said.

Ejaz further said, "We have clearly decided that auto-rickshaws and rickshaws cannot operate on main roads. Through a high-level committee at DNCC, we've taken on a project where Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is designing a new model of auto-rickshaw. Once that design is finalised, we will issue licenses accordingly.

"Only licensed vehicles will be allowed on certain roads in Dhaka. Auto-rickshaws will not be allowed on main roads under any circumstances. The traffic department has already started installing road traps," he added.

Urging people not to buy from illegal vendors on the footpaths, the administrator said, "Every area in Dhaka has markets and shopping centres. We are conducting regular drives against them. With public cooperation, this problem can be solved more easily."

So far, hearings have taken place in seven zones of the city. People take part in these hearings to directly present their complaints, suggestions and service-related issues to the administrator, who listens and responds to each question.