Dhaka North provides Tk1.5 lakh to owners of 3 crushed battery-run rickshaws
The corporation will arrange employment for the three affected rickshaw pullers
The Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Azaz today (14 May) handed over financial assistance of Tk50,000 each to three rickshaw pullers whose vehicles were crushed during a joint drive yesterday.
The operation, conducted by the corporation and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), in the capital's Asadgate area, was aimed at removing illegal battery-run rickshaws from main roads.
During the drive, several battery-run rickshaws were seized, and some were destroyed on-site, triggering public concern following media reports highlighting the distress of affected drivers. Many netizens labelled the move as unjust and inhumane.
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In the face of severe criticism on social media over the Dhaka North's drive, the administrator in a Facebook post promised immediate compensation.
Following his commitment, the rickshaw pullers were provided with financial aid totalling Tk150,000 at a ceremony at the corporation headquarters this afternoon.
While handing over the cheques, Administrator Azaz said, "The compensation was offered on humanitarian grounds, but similar aid will not be repeated in future drives."
He urged those relying on illegal battery-run rickshaws for livelihood to seek alternative sources of income, reiterating that no rickshaws would be allowed on the city's main roads.
Azaz further directed the regional executive officer of Dhaka North's Zone-5 to arrange employment for the three affected rickshaw pullers.
He emphasised that the government has already taken steps to introduce Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)-approved battery-run rickshaws to ensure safer and more organised transportation.
He also mentioned that BRAC is set to begin training programmes for nearly 1,00,000 rickshaw drivers within this month to support the transition to legally compliant operations.
The aid recipients included Md Khalil, son of the late Juran from Belkuchi in Sirajganj; Russell Mia, son of Monsur Ali from Kotwali in Mymensingh; and Suman Mridha, son of Mahtab Mridha from Bakerganj in Barisal.
