Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said the government is preparing a policy to regulate battery-run rickshaws, including restricting their movement on major roads and in important areas.
“We do not want to cause harm to anyone, but Dhaka city cannot be allowed to become dysfunctional for the interests of any particular group. That is the main point,” Rabiul said.
He made the remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of Dhanmondi Lake in the capital. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam was present at the event.
Rabiul said battery-run vehicles are seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and that the government is concerned about the situation.
He acknowledged that many people have been working in the profession for a long time and could face difficulties if restrictions are introduced. However, he said collective agreement was needed to address the existing problems.
“If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in an uncontrolled manner in Dhaka, the city does not function,” he said.
Asked about Jamaat-e-Islami leader Golam Parwar’s comments on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul said the opposition had failed to understand citizens’ rights and Dhaka’s needs.
He criticised Jamaat’s political positions over the years, saying the party had repeatedly failed to understand what people wanted and what was in the public interest.
Rabiul said Jamaat had got the opportunity to become the main opposition party for the first time at the age of 85, questioning why it had failed to understand public expectations over the years.
Dhanmondi Lake renovation
Rabiul said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after the renovation and urged citizens to help keep the lake and the city clean.
“Modern facilities will be developed at the lake. All the facilities, including greenery, that a modern lake should have will be here,” he said.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects to fulfil the government’s commitments to improving the environment in the Dhanmondi area.
The two lake-related projects, costing around Tk83 crore, are expected to take about two and a half years to complete, Rabiul said.
The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and necessary infrastructure development.
Some new structures will also be built, including facilities around Nazrul Mancha, which is currently abandoned. “There are some infrastructure facilities and lighting there. One task has to be completed before another because all the work cannot be done simultaneously,” he said.
Rabiul stressed that regular maintenance would be necessary to preserve the lake’s greenery, facilities and environment. He urged citizens not to dump garbage or waste into the lake.
“Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake. Those who come to the lake should remain alert and conscious so that we can preserve this pleasant environment,” he said.
The minister also called on citizens to work together to keep Dhaka clean, usable and pleasant and to ensure that the lake’s facilities and beauty are maintained.
Tk350cr project to tackle waterlogging
Referring to waterlogging as a major problem in Dhaka during the monsoon, Rabiul said a separate Tk350 crore project had been undertaken to address the issue.
The project will cover a large part of Dhaka South City Corporation, including Dhanmondi, the low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, the area from Shikdar Medical College towards the embankment, and Kalabagan.
“We are continuously working and taking up these projects to improve citizens’ quality of life and resolve the obstacles that are affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.
