S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
CNG-powered autorickshaws are plying unhindered on most roads in Sylhet city. Drivers do not know the traffic laws. These unauthorized autorickshaws are increasing accidents.
Autorickshaw stands have been built by encroaching on roads. There are about fifty autorickshaw stands across the city. Although none of them are legal. Traffic jams are becoming severe due to these illegal stands built by encroaching on roads. There are also allegations of syndicated fare increases through the stands. As a result, passengers are suffering.
Autorickshaw stands have been built in 16 areas including Bandar Bazar, Taltala, Shahi Eidgah, Naiorpool, Shahjalal Bridge, Dhopadighirepar, Tilagarh, Kadamtali, Osmani Airport and Kumargaon, Shahparan and Chandipool in the suburbs.
There are as many illegal autorickshaws as there are legal autorickshaws. On top of that, more than fifty illegal stands have become a hindrance to the city’s order. After the ongoing hawker problem in the city was eliminated, the picture of the autorickshaw problem has emerged. In this situation, the district administration has gone hardline. Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam has given a 15-day deadline to the CNG-powered autorickshaws operating illegally in Sylhet city. He said that legal action will be taken if these autorickshaws are not removed from the city within this time.
Responding to a question regarding this during an inspection of the Sylhet Central Bus Terminal on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam said that there are 19,000 legal CNG-powered autorickshaws in Sylhet city. However, there are more illegal autorickshaws. They have not been allowed to operate in the city.
He said, we have given 15 days to the illegal autorickshaw drivers. By September 22, those CNGs that do not have a license to operate in the city must be removed from the city. These will be moved to different upazilas. If they do not move within this period, a drive will be launched against them and they will be fined and jailed. If necessary, dumping will be done.
Regarding the illegal parking of CNG autorickshaws across the city, he said, specific parking spaces will be designated for them. We are looking into where to make arrangements for parking. However, CNG drivers often leave the designated parking spaces and come onto the road. This causes traffic jams. Now we are warning them. If they still do not follow the rules, legal action will be taken.
In response to a question regarding parking on the road outside the Sylhet Central Bus Terminal instead of parking inside, he said, this is actually a matter of habit. They are not following the law due to habit. We are trying to convince them not to do this. If they do not listen, action will be taken later.
