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TL;DR
- Rickshaw pullers blocked Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection demanding a ban on battery-operated autorickshaws.
- Protesters claim battery-run autorickshaws charge lower fares, reducing their income.
- Autorickshaws on main roads are accused of causing traffic congestion and accidents.
- Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina previously allowed battery-operated rickshaws to continue operating in Dhaka.
Rickshaw pullers in Dhaka staged a protest on Monday morning, demanding a ban on battery-operated autorickshaws and other measures to improve their livelihoods. The protesters occupied the Shahbagh intersection around 10:30am, blocking traffic on surrounding roads.
According to the rickshaw pullers, autorickshaw drivers charge unfairly low fares, as low as Tk20 for trips that should cost Tk50, making it difficult for them to find passengers. They claim that their daily earnings from pulling rickshaws are insufficient to support themselves and their families.
The protesters also raised concerns about autorickshaws operating on main roads, which they say violates traffic rules and contributes to congestion and accidents. They argued that autorickshaws should be restricted to alleys, as was the case previously.
This protest comes after former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader ordered a ban on battery-operated rickshaws on Dhaka city roads on May 15. However, following protests by autorickshaw drivers on May 19, which included vandalism and setting fire to a police box, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina allowed the vehicles to continue operating in the capital.
The ongoing dispute between rickshaw pullers and autorickshaw drivers highlights the challenges faced by workers in the informal transport sector, who often struggle to earn a living wage in a highly competitive market. The government’s attempts to regulate the industry have met with resistance from both groups, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to urban transport planning in Dhaka.
Source: DhakaTribune
