Regulating 3-wheelers on highways

It is disturbing to note that three-wheelers have been dominating the Dhaka-Tangail highway on Bangabandhu Bridge in violation of a strict ban. They hinder the smooth movement of long-distance vehicles and are often behind fatal road accidents. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, there are about 5,000 CNG-run autos registered with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in Tangail. But there are about 25,000 such autos operate in the district. The authorities have permitted 3,000 battery-driven autos in two shifts. But their number is said to have crossed 10,000. Besides, many battery-powered vans, ‘Nasimon-Karimon’, 10-seater ‘Mahindra’ and other types of three-wheelers are plying in defiance of the ban in the district. It is alleged that CNG-autos run on the important highway using tokens issued by traffic police.

According to drivers of three-wheelers they are forced to use the highways taking high risks as there is no designated lane on the side of the highways for their vehicles. Besides, they have to fulfil passengers’ wishes. Mismanagement of public transport is a chronic scenario in the country.  The commuters are bearing the brunt of it. The number of public transports is increasing in the country but the services rendered to the commuters are far from satisfactory. Movement of vehicles without fitness certificates is punishable according to law but many vehicles are in operation without fitness certificates under the nose of the members of the law enforcement agencies.   Besides, there are drivers with fake driving license. As a result, accidents are occurring frequently, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries. Weak traffic management, realisation of excess fare from passengers and  misbehaviour with passengers by transport workers are some of the causes that have bedeviled the public transport system. Traffic jam aggravates the sufferings of the commuters. Mobile courts are held at times to punish the errant drivers. But once it is over things revert to the as usual.

    Drivers of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws are demanding unusually high fare from commuters disregarding the normal practice. They are doing this under the nose of the members of the law enforcement agencies, particularly police. Passengers are also being harassed by auto drivers for refusing to pay exorbitant fares.  Anarchy in the public transport system cannot go on like this. The relevant authorities should formulate a clear cut policy in this regard to ease the sufferings of the commuters.    The process of issuing driving license must be made foolproof to ensure that only the properly skilled drivers can have it.

 

Regulating 3-wheelers on highways

It is disturbing to note that three-wheelers have been dominating the Dhaka-Tangail highway on Bangabandhu Bridge in violation of a strict ban. They hinder the smooth movement of long-distance vehicles and are often behind fatal road accidents. According to a report of this newspaper yesterday, there are about 5,000 CNG-run autos registered with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in Tangail. But there are about 25,000 such autos operate in the district. The authorities have permitted 3,000 battery-driven autos in two shifts. But their number is said to have crossed 10,000. Besides, many battery-powered vans, Nasimon-Karimon, 10-seater Mahindra and other types of three-wheelers are plying in defiance of the ban in the district. It is alleged that CNG-autos run on the important highway using tokens issued by traffic police. According to drivers of three-wheelers they are forced to use the highways taking high risks as there is no designated lane on the side of the highways for their vehicles. Besides, they have to fulfil passengers wishes. Mismanagement of public transport is a chronic scenario in the country. The commuters are bearing the brunt of it. The number of public transports is increasing in the country but the services rendered to the commuters are far from satisfactory. Movement of vehicles without fitness certificates is punishable according to law but many vehicles are in operation without fitness certificates under the nose of the members of the law enforcement agencies. Besides, there are drivers with fake driving license. As a result, accidents are occurring frequently, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries. Weak traffic management, realisation of excess fare from passengers and misbehaviour with passengers by transport workers are some of the causes that have bedeviled the public transport system. Traffic jam aggravates the sufferings of the commuters. Mobile courts are held at times to punish the errant drivers. But once it is over things revert to the as usual. Drivers of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws are demanding unusually high fare from commuters disregarding the normal practice. They are doing this under the nose of the members of the law enforcement agencies, particularly police. Passengers are also being harassed by auto drivers for refusing to pay exorbitant fares. Anarchy in the public transport system cannot go on like this. The relevant authorities should formulate a clear cut policy in this regard to ease the sufferings of the commuters. The process of issuing driving license must be made foolproof to ensure that only the properly skilled drivers can have it.