Why illegal 3-wheelers still on the roads?

The High Court yesterday directed authorities concerned to locate illegal three-wheelers plying across the country and take necessary steps to remove them from the roads.

The court also issued a rule asking authorities to explain why their inaction to halt import and local production of illegal three-wheelers should not be declared illegal, Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta told The Daily Star.

Secretaries at the ministries of industries; road, transport and bridges; environment, forest and climate change; executive chairperson of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); chairperson of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority; chairperson of National Board of Revenue; and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman issued the order and rule, following a writ petition filed by Kazi Zashimul Islam, president of Bagha Automobiles Ltd, seeking necessary directives on the issue.

Citing the petition, petitioner's lawyer Atique Towhidul Islam said easy-bikes, illegal three-wheelers that are powered by recycled lead-acid batteries, are not approved by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and are not registered under BIDA.

The government does not get revenue from easy-bikes, and such vehicles pose risks to public health, he said.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh in September last year announced to take legal action against all such battery-run three-wheelers from that very day, but the situation remains the same.

DSCC conducted drives against the three-wheelers on October 5 last year, but they were suspended after a few days.

DRAFT GUIDELINE

After failing to enforce an August 2015 ban on three-wheelers from plying 22 major national highways, the government prepared a draft guideline last month.

Titled "Three-wheelers and Similar Motor Vehicles' Proper Management and Control Guideline-2021", Road Transport and Highways Division uploaded the draft on its website on November 7, seeking public opinions for a month.

The guidelines are yet to be finalised.

According to the guideline, no three-wheeler will be allowed on national and regional highways. Such vehicles must have route permits, registration and fitness clearance for operating on dedicated routes, and their drivers have to obtain licences.