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In consideration of the rise in living costs, battery-powered vehicles will be allowed to operate in Dhaka city, says Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader.
The minister made the statement in front of the Awami League’s central office on the anniversary of the founding of the Ulama League on Monday.
“We are instituting a new policy where we try to balance the questions of lives and livelihoods. If a truck or a bus crashes into an easybike, nothing happens to the bus. But 10-12 people, including the driver and passengers, can be killed on the easybike.”
“Under these circumstances, we barred their use on 22 highways. But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reminded us of the suffering and hardship of low-income people amid the eye-watering prices in the market and instructed that, for the moment, there is no need for a ban in Dhaka city. After considering the rise in the price of necessities, we are temporarily suspending the ban on the use of battery-powered vehicles in the city, and they will be allowed to run.”
“I have informed the BRTA, who will call their representatives and talk to them. The training of drivers and the size of the vehicles have to be brought under regulations. Their size, their wheels, all of these issues should be tackled realistically. The BRTA will pass on the instructions of the prime minister on this matter and it will take effect.”
The BRTA, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations had started enforcing a ban on three-wheelers – locally known as autos and easybikes – on the streets of the capital. Police conducted raids to stop them from plying on the roads.
In response, the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw, Van and Easy Bike Sangram Parishad – an organisation representing workers and owners involved in the business – had called for protests.
The group protested outside the National Press Club on Monday and threatened rallies in 64 districts on May 27.
They also gave the government a month to withdraw their ban or face more intense protests.