CNG-run auto-rickshaws
Photo: STAR
We know that one-third of the population of Dhaka belong to the middle and lower middle class. They face many problems on the streets of Dhaka. When one needs to go to an exam centre to sit for an examination, or a hospital with a patient, s/he needs an affordable transport like CNG-run auto-rickshaw or a rickshaw. But rickshaws are not allowed to ply on every road in Dhaka. Taxi cab is not affordable and available. CNG-run auto-rickshaw is the only option left. Specially, a female student needs an auto-rickshaw to go to her college or university, as the public bus service is not available in all areas of the city. If the CNG-run auto-rickshaws can be made available, the problem will be solved to a great extent. A CNG-run auto-rickshaw occupies less than half of the place on the road comparing to a car or a jeep. I saw in Bangalore city that 65,000 LPG-run auto-rickshaws plied the roads whereas the population is 6 million, and all most each middle class family had a small car. The authorities should encourage CNG-run auto-rickshaws and discourage private vehicles on the streets of Dhaka. But restrictions have been imposed on CNG-run auto-rickshaws. This situation has increased the sufferings of the middle and lower middle class people. I would urge the government to withdraw all sorts of restrictions and allow more CNG-run auto-rickshaws to use the streets of Dhaka and Chittagong for the welfare of the commuters.
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