Experts decry decision to ban auto-rickshaws

The decision to ban three-wheelers on the national highways across the country without alternatives in place would seriously impact the country’s economy, experts told The Independent.
They felt that the government would do well to review its decision considering the sufferings of people as thousands of unemployed youth across the country are engaged in the three-wheeler business. They also suggested that banning non-motorised vehicles on the national highways should have been done in phases.
According to the experts who spoke to The Independent, non-mechanised auto-rickshaws were not solely responsible for accidents on the highways. There were many other reasons such as engineering faults, reckless driving, unfit vehicles, irregularities, lack of proper policy and enforcement.
“The government needs to review its decision after consulting the different stakeholders how to address the problem. Such problems cannot be addressed overnight, pushing thousands of people into unemployment,” said Professor Hasib Mohammed Ahsan, former Director of Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET.

The government has to give time to the owners of three-wheeler before banning them from plying on the highways, he said. “Banning these vehicles at such a short notice would create serious problems for the country. It’s a big decision and the government should formulate a policy to ban such vehicles in phases,” he added. “At a time when the government talks about making Bangladesh a middle-income country, such a decision would hamper the economic dream.”
Prof. Ahsan felt this move will have a deep social impact as well. “Banning three-wheelers would hamper social safety too. There are many unemployed youngsters engaged in this business. The authorities need to dedicate lanes on the national highways for plying slow-speed vehicles over short distances to carry goods and passengers. This would help country’s economy,” he said.
There is a big demand for such vehicles since the existing public transport system is not able to cater to the transportation needs of a densely populated country like Bangladesh.
The government has to arrange for alternative modes of transport for those who want to carry goods or travel over short distances on the national highways, Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Director, CPD told The Independent.
“We appreciate the government’s decision of banning auto-rickshaws on the highways to reduce road accidents. This initiative is needed, but at the same time, alternative employment opportunities need to be created for those who stand to lose employment due to the ban,” he said.
“The government won’t change its decision and won’t allow three-wheelers to ply on the highways,” said MN Siddique, Secretary, Road Transport and Highways. In response to the agitation by the owners and drivers of three-wheelers, he said that the situation would soon become normal.
At least 10,000 people die annually in road accidents across the country. The government banned plying of three-wheelers on national highways from August 1.
As per the data provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), a total of 12, 615 registered auto-rickshaws are plying on the roads of the capital and almost all auto-rickshaws are fitted with uncertified cylinders (certification of cylinders is mandatory once every five years) and non-calibrated metres as per new price of CNG.

 

Experts decry decision to ban auto-rickshaws

The decision to ban three-wheelers on the national highways across the country without alternatives in place would seriously impact the countrys economy, experts told The Independent. They felt that the government would do well to review its decision considering the sufferings of people as thousands of unemployed youth across the country are engaged in the three-wheeler business. They also suggested that banning non-motorised vehicles on the national highways should have been done in phases. According to the experts who spoke to The Independent, non-mechanised auto-rickshaws were not solely responsible for accidents on the highways. There were many other reasons such as engineering faults, reckless driving, unfit vehicles, irregularities, lack of proper policy and enforcement. The government needs to review its decision after consulting the different stakeholders how to address the problem. Such problems cannot be addressed overnight, pushing thousands of people into unemployment, said Professor Hasib Mohammed Ahsan, former Director of Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET. The government has to give time to the owners of three-wheeler before banning them from plying on the highways, he said. Banning these vehicles at such a short notice would create serious problems for the country. Its a big decision and the government should formulate a policy to ban such vehicles in phases, he added. At a time when the government talks about making Bangladesh a middle-income country, such a decision would hamper the economic dream. Prof. Ahsan felt this move will have a deep social impact as well. Banning three-wheelers would hamper social safety too. There are many unemployed youngsters engaged in this business. The authorities need to dedicate lanes on the national highways for plying slow-speed vehicles over short distances to carry goods and passengers. This would help countrys economy, he said. There is a big demand for such vehicles since the existing public transport system is not able to cater to the transportation needs of a densely populated country like Bangladesh. The government has to arrange for alternative modes of transport for those who want to carry goods or travel over short distances on the national highways, Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Director, CPD told The Independent. We appreciate the governments decision of banning auto-rickshaws on the highways to reduce road accidents. This initiative is needed, but at the same time, alternative employment opportunities need to be created for those who stand to lose employment due to the ban, he said. The government wont change its decision and wont allow three-wheelers to ply on the highways, said MN Siddique, Secretary, Road Transport and Highways. In response to the agitation by the owners and drivers of three-wheelers, he said that the situation would soon become normal. At least 10,000 people die annually in road accidents across the country. The government banned plying of three-wheelers on national highways from August 1. As per the data provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), a total of 12, 615 registered auto-rickshaws are plying on the roads of the capital and almost all auto-rickshaws are fitted with uncertified cylinders (certification of cylinders is mandatory once every five years) and non-calibrated metres as per new price of CNG.