DHAKA North City
Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Wednesday reaffirmed the
government's decision to ban three-wheeler rickshaws and rickshaw-vans
on three thoroughfares in the capital. The ban won't be imposed on the
by-lane from Pragati Swarani to Khilgaon, but no unregistered rickshaws
or vans would run there. Earlier, Mayors of the two City Corporations
had banned rickshaw in the city's major road for easing traffic
congestion, but rickshaw puller carried out protests by blocking the
roads for Monday and Tuesday. While it is widely seen that excessive
number of private cars, which carry highest five percent commuters but
occupy 76 per cent roads, is the reason for traffic jam, whereas the
authorities slapped ban only on rickshaw.
For more than 1.5 crore
people, there are around 8,000 public buses and 283,617 private cars in
Dhaka. These cars take more space than a rickshaw. At least 3.5 million
trips are made on Dhaka streets a day with rickshaws accounting for 40
percent of them. Rickshaws are one of the biggest sources of employment
in Bangladesh. For the illiterate or inadequately educated people
rickshaws are one of the most readily available jobs as it does not
require any deposit, investment, lobbying or previous experience.
This
sudden decision by the City Corporations to ban rickshaws could be
turned out to be a nightmare for some rickshaw-pullers as a section of
them may lose their jobs. While scientists are putting emphasis on
non-motorised vehicles, Bangladesh, one of the worst victims of climate
change, is heading in the reverse direction. By placing a ban, we seem
to be discouraging the use of environment-friendly modes of transport
like rickshaws. The decision to ban rickshaws may seem trivial, but its
implications are multifactorial.
Rickshaw is a Japanese word. The
vehicle was first invented in Japan. But nobody will find a rickshaw now
in modern Japan. There is a general perception that rickshaw pulling is
an inhuman job. We must say, the authorities must ensure an alternative
way of earning for the rickshaw pullers before completely banning the
vehicle in Dhaka roads. Otherwise, it would be another inhuman
decision.