The question of banning auto rickshaws from Dhaka’s major roads is complex and multifaceted, involving considerations of traffic management, safety, and the livelihoods of drivers.
Arguments for Banning Auto Rickshaws on Major Roads
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Traffic Congestion and Road Safety
Battery-operated auto rickshaws are often slow-moving and poorly designed, lacking essential safety features such as effective brakes, turn indicators, and rearview mirrors. They can reach speeds of 25 to 30 km/h but have unstable frames, making them unsafe for busy city roads. Their erratic driving behavior—swerving, sudden braking, and weaving through traffic—contributes significantly to traffic jams and accidents on Dhaka’s major roads.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has already banned battery-run auto rickshaws from main roads like Pragati Sarani and VIP Road, directing them to smaller roads to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. -
Accident Reduction
These vehicles are often driven without licenses or training, leading to frequent collisions with buses, motorcycles, and pedestrians. Their presence on major roads increases the risk of fatal accidents, justifying restrictions on their operation in high-traffic areas. -
Enforcement of Traffic Rules
Battery-operated auto rickshaws frequently operate outside legal frameworks, lacking route permits and driver licenses. This informal operation undermines traffic law enforcement and public safety.
Arguments Against Banning Auto Rickshaws on Major Roads
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Livelihood Concerns
Auto rickshaw drivers, especially those operating battery-powered vehicles, depend heavily on access to major roads for their income. Banning them severely affects their ability to earn a living, as they cannot compete with faster vehicles or reach passengers efficiently on smaller roads.
Rickshaw pullers have protested, demanding the government reinstate previous rules allowing autorickshaws on main roads, highlighting the economic hardship caused by such bans. -
Transport Accessibility
Auto rickshaws provide affordable and accessible transport for many low-income residents in Dhaka. Removing them from major roads without providing adequate alternatives could reduce mobility options for the public. -
Systemic Issues Beyond Rickshaws
Critics argue that banning auto rickshaws is a superficial solution that does not address underlying problems such as inadequate infrastructure, inefficient traffic management, and lack of comprehensive urban planning. The traffic crisis in Dhaka requires multifaceted approaches rather than targeting a single mode of transport.
Conclusion
While banning auto rickshaws from major roads in Dhaka can improve traffic flow and road safety, it also threatens the livelihoods of many drivers and limits affordable transport options. The issue reflects deeper systemic challenges in Dhaka’s urban transport system. A balanced approach is needed—one that enforces safety and traffic rules, improves infrastructure, and supports the economic welfare of auto rickshaw drivers, rather than an outright ban that may cause more harm than good.
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