Battery-powered auto-rickshaws have become a major nuisance on roads across the country, including in the capital. Accidents involving the vehicles occur almost daily, and social media is awash with angry posts about them. Actress Rukaiya Jahan Chamak is the latest to speak out.
A heated debate erupted online following one of her recent Facebook statuses, in which she urged the government to ban battery-powered rickshaws from Dhaka’s main roads.
The post read: “If battery-powered rickshaws are allowed on the main roads, I will not pay my car tax from next year.”
The remark went viral instantly, sparking mixed reactions. Some backed her view, arguing that the uncontrolled movement of these vehicles is a key cause of traffic congestion in the capital, as well as an added safety hazard.
Others, however, blamed the government’s mismanagement rather than the rickshaws themselves. They insisted that planned regulations and alternative routes should be introduced, considering the livelihoods of low-income drivers.
Chamak has previously drawn attention with her outspoken views on social issues, from women’s rights to family and marriage. Once again, her blunt statement has become a focal point of online discussion.
