Long tailbacks in Badda as battery-run rickshaw drivers protest demanding removal of Buet-designed model
Although the protesters have withdrawn from the road, traffic police are struggling to restore normal traffic flow
Commuters heading towards Kuril and Rampura faced traffic congestion this morning (19 January) as battery-run autorickshaw drivers blocked the main road in front of Badda's Fuji Tower for two hours, demanding the cancellation of a Buet-designed battery-run rickshaw model and seeking permission to operate traditional "thin-wheeled" battery-run rickshaws.
They also protested the suspension of sales of three types of battery-powered rickshaws by Akij Group and demanded permission to operate 241,000 battery-powered rickshaws under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka South and North City Corporations.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Badda Zone under the Gulshan Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Sagar Sarkar said, "Autorickshaw drivers had blocked the main road in front of Badda Fuji Tower and are observing a human chain.
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"The drivers gathered at the spot at around 10am, completely halting vehicular movement on both sides of the busy road.
After blocking Pragati Sarani for nearly two hours, they cleared the road around noon.
Meanwhile, the road blockade caused severe traffic congestion from Rampura to Notun Bazar. Although the protesters have withdrawn from the road, traffic police are struggling to restore normal traffic flow, the traffic official said.
To manage the massive tailbacks, the Traffic Division has implemented several emergency diversions.
For Kuril or Uttara-bound traffic, vehicles travelling from Rampura are advised to turn left at Badda Link Road and proceed via Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2.
Meanwhile, commuters coming from Uttara are requested to avoid the Badda route entirely and enter the city through the Mohakhali route instead.
