DSCC to start drive against battery-run rickshaws from tomorrow

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will start a drive against battery-run rickshaws and rickshaw-vans from tomorrow.

DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh announced this at a meeting at Nagar Bhaban today, said an official of DSCC.

The mayor ordered necessary steps to be taken regarding the drive to bring discipline in transport sector, said Chief Estate Officer of DSCC Russel Sabrin.

Two executive magistrates will conduct the drive and rickshaws seized in the drive will be dumped, Russel said. Battery-run rickshaws often cause fatal accidents in the city.

The High Court on March 8, 2015 banned mechanised and battery-run rickshaws across the country, as they have no proper license.

According to sources, crores of taka circulate in this sector as many ruling-party individuals and influential people are behind running these vehicles in the capital.

They take Tk 20-30 from each rickshaw-driver daily, and provide them with a card which works as permission.

LGRD ministry on July 21, 2013 issued an order to Dhaka city corporations, asking them not to provide license to these three-wheelers, said another official of DSCC.

The Standing Committee on Local Government on September 1, 2013 also recommended that Local Government Division and the corporations take steps against battery-rickshaws.

Mayor Taposh on September 13 termed battery-run rickshaws illegal and announced to take legal actions.