Gulshan residents demand crackdown on illegal auto-rickshaws

Residents of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan have demanded action against illegal auto-rickshaws, stronger traffic-law enforcement and safe alternative public transport to address growing congestion and road insecurity.

The residents placed their five-point demands at a public awareness rally organised by the Gulshan Society at Gulshan-2 on Friday afternoon.

Gulshan Society President Barrister Omar Sadat, who organised the rally, said the residents were not opposed to auto-rickshaws or the livelihoods of their drivers but wanted safer roads and a regulated transport system.

“We are not against auto-rickshaws or anyone’s livelihood. We want safe roads. To achieve this, all types of vehicles must operate in an orderly and regulated manner,” he said.

He also called for the removal of illegal auto-rickshaws while stressing the need to protect drivers’ livelihoods through alternative employment opportunities and training.

“A country cannot run by relying on rickshaws. There is no such system anywhere in the world. Therefore, illegal auto-rickshaws must be removed and alternative livelihood opportunities must be created for their drivers. Necessary training should also be arranged for them,” Omar Sadat said.

He described uncontrolled transport and severe traffic congestion as major problems facing the country.
“One of the problems of our country is unbearable traffic congestion and an uncontrolled transport system. To move the economy forward, we need a skilled workforce, which we lack. This is why foreign investment is not coming,” he said.

Omar Sadat said the issue of illegal battery-powered rickshaws and the congestion, disorder and insecurity associated with them had been discussed for a long time, but no solution had been reached.

“We have been talking for a long time about illegal battery-powered rickshaws and the congestion, disorder and insecurity they cause. But the problem has not been resolved,” he added.

He expressed determination to continue the protest until the demands were fulfilled. Gulshan Society Secretary General Mujibur Rahman Mridha, former Secretary General Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, Banani Society President Shawkat Ali Dilan and other prominent residents of the areas attended the rally and spoke in support of the demands.