A right step
Finally, some measures are being taken by the government for curbing the ever increasing menace created by unruly rickshaws. I am pleased to see that the government is taking stern steps in managing the traffic system. Although there are number of other reasons that contribute to the terrible traffic gridlocks in our city, control and gradual elimination of rickshaws from major city roads is inevitable.
I wanted to respond to Mr. Sikander Ahmed's (of Gulshan 1) May 17, 2010 letter entitled ' An appeal'. I respect his appreciation for the High Court's directives on some major issues. However, asking for intervention in favour of keeping rickshaws on Dhaka streets to let them roam free and take over each and every corner and block each and every intersection is simply outrageous. I am appalled to find that Mr. Sikander has thought that this could ever happen. I am sure that our judicial system is comprised of people who are forward thinkers and they see the logical solution. Mr. Sikander has mentioned that rickshaws are the fastest?? Perhaps, we should all then forget about all forms of modern transport systems which take us to our destinations in the shortest time possible and hop on an extremely dangerous form of transport that is operated by even more dangerous persons who have absolutely no care for anyone's safety and have no regard for traffic laws. As we gradually remove rickshaws from major roads of Dhaka, present rickshaw pullers will see that they need to find another form of income. They will eventually stop coming to Dhaka from their villages blindly and devote themselves towards agriculture which is the main industry of our country. Also, they can begin to work in the various industries. But under no circumstance should we fail to understand that this exponential growth of rickshaws must be stopped, now. If we want to go anywhere in the near future, we simply have no choice but to control the rickshaws. Confusing people with complex statistical data (who knows where they come from, i.e. since x is not equal to y, therefore z is not equal to x) will not result in keeping rickshaws around. Banning rickshaws is the ultimate answer among many others.
Therefore, let us be supportive of the government initiative in creating a better, higher standard capital city of Dhaka where there will one day be no rickshaws except maybe in the museums.
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