The High Court has ordered the ban on battery-powered auto-rickshaws in Dhaka metropolitan area within the next three days.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najeeb and Justice Mahmudur Razi gave the order on Tuesday (November 19).
The number of battery-powered auto-rickshaws has increased at an abnormal rate across the country, including the capital. The capital's traffic system has collapsed due to the presence of these rickshaws on main roads including alleyways. The uncontrolled movement and risky vehicle have now become a cause for panic. The increase in the number of battery-powered rickshaws has also hampered the movement of other vehicles. At such a time, the order to ban battery-powered auto-rickshaws is a relief for the city dwellers.
About 8 lakh battery-powered rickshaws are plying illegally on the roads of the capital Dhaka. These illegal vehicles are roaming on the main roads even though they are not allowed to do so. Although action has been taken against lakhs of battery-powered rickshaws in the last two months, the violence has not stopped.
On May 15 this year, the Ministry of Roads and Transport announced the ban on battery-powered rickshaws from the roads. After that, rickshaw drivers started a movement. Five days later, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allowed rickshaws to ply except on the main roads. However, it got out of control and started playing on the main roads as well.