Easy-bikes cause traffic jam in Khulna

A large number of easy-bikes on the important streets are seen responsible for traffic snarl in Khulna city and cause of sufferings to commuters every day.
Commuters, mostly residents of the city, who take the easy-bikes and other vehicle, get stuck in traffic jams for long hours at different important points. Patients, students, teachers, office and court goers are the worst sufferers due to the situation.
There is no taxi, tempo, no battery-run three-wheelers or even rickshaw stand in the city. The drivers stop these vehicles on the roads for passengers. Besides, haphazard parking of the rickshaws and battery-run auto-rickshaws, easy-bikes by the side of markets, shopping centres, educational institutions and key installations are narrowing the space of the streets, hampering smooth traffic movement, alleged city dwellers.
General Secretary of Khulna Battery-run Easy-Bikes Workers’ Union Hafizul Islam Kislu said that nearly 18,000 families are surviving as over 20,000 easy bikes are running in the city every day. Besides, over 10,000 youths have got opportunity to earn money by driving easy bikes.
President of the Workers’ Union Alamgir Hossain Babu said, “Easy bikes are more environment friendly than those of baby taxies and auto tempos. Besides, fare of easy bikes is lesser than auto tempos and baby taxies. So, this transport industry like easy bikes has gained popularity particularly among low income group of people and students.”  
Licence officer of Khulna City Corporation (KCC),(vehicle branch) Kazi Md Imrul Hasan said after its introduction in the city, they have issued only 2,500 licences in 2010 and no new licences have so far been issued then. On the other hand, KCC have provided licences to 17,000 rickshaws but the number of these vehicles plying the city roads has almost doubled to triple.
The revenue officer of KCC Wahiduzzaman Khan said thousands of battery-run easy bikes are in operation flouting ban imposed by the government in 2012. “These bikes are run by motors, instead of engines. The vehicle emits acids and consumes a huge amount of electricity every day for recharging, adding to load shedding,” added Wahid.
It is alleged that the drivers ‘manage’ the police, leaders of labour organisations and leaders of political parties and drive the transport modes under the nose of law enforcers.
Some drivers alleged that Taka 60-70,000 is being realised from the drivers of the easy-bikes as tolls per day. The money is being distributed among unscrupulous law enforcers and local musclemen to run the vehicles.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner (traffic) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Md Kalimullah said, “I do not know anything about police involvement in taking money from the owners of these vehicles. But arrangement of separate parking spaces for three-wheelers and keeping their number and movement under control can help ease traffic jam.” He also said, “Many private vehicles creating traffic congestion here in the Khulna city.”
Assistant Director of the Khulna Circle of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) ASM Kamrul Hasan said that controlling easy bikes in city was not their duty. “We do not give registration to battery-run easy bikes. It is a matter of surprise how unregistered vehicles can ply roads under the nose of law enforcers. Besides, how these vehicles are being sold while there is a ban on their movement,” added the BRTA officials.
Mayor (acting) of KCC Anisur Rahman Biswas said KCC has nothing to do with the number of vehicles as it is not legal authority. He said, “We had taken steps to control in the past, but failed. The unregistered easy bikes are there as they pay illegal tolls at the rate Tk 10 to some
quarters.”

Easy-bikes cause traffic jam in Khulna

A large number of easy-bikes on the important streets are seen responsible for traffic snarl in Khulna city and cause of sufferings to commuters every day. Commuters, mostly residents of the city, who take the easy-bikes and other vehicle, get stuck in traffic jams for long hours at different important points. Patients, students, teachers, office and court goers are the worst sufferers due to the situation. There is no taxi, tempo, no battery-run three-wheelers or even rickshaw stand in the city. The drivers stop these vehicles on the roads for passengers. Besides, haphazard parking of the rickshaws and battery-run auto-rickshaws, easy-bikes by the side of markets, shopping centres, educational institutions and key installations are narrowing the space of the streets, hampering smooth traffic movement, alleged city dwellers. General Secretary of Khulna Battery-run Easy-Bikes Workers Union Hafizul Islam Kislu said that nearly 18,000 families are surviving as over 20,000 easy bikes are running in the city every day. Besides, over 10,000 youths have got opportunity to earn money by driving easy bikes. President of the Workers Union Alamgir Hossain Babu said, Easy bikes are more environment friendly than those of baby taxies and auto tempos. Besides, fare of easy bikes is lesser than auto tempos and baby taxies. So, this transport industry like easy bikes has gained popularity particularly among low income group of people and students. Licence officer of Khulna City Corporation (KCC),(vehicle branch) Kazi Md Imrul Hasan said after its introduction in the city, they have issued only 2,500 licences in 2010 and no new licences have so far been issued then. On the other hand, KCC have provided licences to 17,000 rickshaws but the number of these vehicles plying the city roads has almost doubled to triple. The revenue officer of KCC Wahiduzzaman Khan said thousands of battery-run easy bikes are in operation flouting ban imposed by the government in 2012. These bikes are run by motors, instead of engines. The vehicle emits acids and consumes a huge amount of electricity every day for recharging, adding to load shedding, added Wahid. It is alleged that the drivers manage the police, leaders of labour organisations and leaders of political parties and drive the transport modes under the nose of law enforcers. Some drivers alleged that Taka 60-70,000 is being realised from the drivers of the easy-bikes as tolls per day. The money is being distributed among unscrupulous law enforcers and local musclemen to run the vehicles. Assistant Deputy Commissioner (traffic) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Md Kalimullah said, I do not know anything about police involvement in taking money from the owners of these vehicles. But arrangement of separate parking spaces for three-wheelers and keeping their number and movement under control can help ease traffic jam. He also said, Many private vehicles creating traffic congestion here in the Khulna city. Assistant Director of the Khulna Circle of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) ASM Kamrul Hasan said that controlling easy bikes in city was not their duty. We do not give registration to battery-run easy bikes. It is a matter of surprise how unregistered vehicles can ply roads under the nose of law enforcers. Besides, how these vehicles are being sold while there is a ban on their movement, added the BRTA officials. Mayor (acting) of KCC Anisur Rahman Biswas said KCC has nothing to do with the number of vehicles as it is not legal authority. He said, We had taken steps to control in the past, but failed. The unregistered easy bikes are there as they pay illegal tolls at the rate Tk 10 to some quarters.