BRTA cancels directive on metred rate for CNGs
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) today withdrew its previous order directing Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to take legal action against the CNG-run auto-rickshaw for ignoring government-set metered rates.
Nobel Dey, public relations officer of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, confirmed it to The Daily Star.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. On February 10, BRTA wrote DMP commissioner to take action against CNGs who will not charge fare following meter rate. As per the relevant law, a driver may face the highest six month jail or TK 50,000 fine for violating this particular offence.
Today, BRTA has withdrawn the order after many CNG drivers blocked city streets while many others went on work abstention protesting its decision.
In a press release, DMP has requested the CNG drivers to withdraw the blockades and to not hinder public movements on the roads.
Earlier in the day, traffic movement in different parts of Dhaka has been disrupted due to their blockade demanding the cancellation of the BRTA order.
Meanwhile, passengers complained lack of CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the city streets from the morning.
The situation arose when two organisations of CNG-run three-wheeler drivers announced programme against the government move to impose fine for not operating the vehicle or charging fare following meter rate.
Golam Azam, officer in-charge of Sher-e Bangla Nagar Police Station, told The Daily Star that CNG drivers blocked the road in front of Suhrawardy Hospital around 9:00am, causing traffic congestion in surrounding areas.
A passenger, however, said the drivers blocked the road around 8:00am.
Nilima Akther, a private service holder, said she waited at Kazipara for around 30 minutes but did not find any CNG. From locals, she came to know that CNG drivers went on strike.
Arifa Hossain, an official at a private bank, said, "I commute to my office at Nikunja in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw from Banasree every day. But due to today's sudden strike, I couldn't find one today. I had to take a detour and change multiple transports to reach the office."
However, Golam Faruk, general secretary of Bangladesh CNG-run Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicles Transport Workers Federation, said they did not call any strike, but many drivers went on work abstention protesting the government move. They would submit a memorandum to BRTA around 11:00am in this regard, he said.
Dhaka, Chattogram District CNG Auto Rickshaw Shramik Oikya Parishad are set to hold a press conference against the move at Jatiya Press Club at 3:00pm.
"We didn't call any strike," Ruhul Amin munshi, convener of the organisation, told this correspondent.
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