An unusual scene unfolds in front of Mansurabad Police Lines, Chattogram. Every so often, seized battery-run rickshaws are brought in and dumped at the designated station. Alongside, tempos, buses, and trucks are also being hauled in.
But with the dumping yard already overflowing with rickshaws, newly seized vehicles are now being lined up directly on both sides of the busy Dewanhat–Halishahar road, creating severe traffic congestion. A spot visit on Tuesday morning through noon revealed that this situation is getting worse over time.
Thousands of commuters travelling the stretch between Dewanhat and Halishahar are facing daily hardship. According to Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) sources, between August 12 and September 7 this year, a total of 4,714 battery-run rickshaws were seized. Vehicles from all four CMP divisions are stored at Mansurabad.
Local traders complain that the persistent traffic jams have driven away customers. Students heading to schools and colleges are also unable to arrive on time. Despite the road’s importance, no effective measures are visible to control the congestion.
“It’s like our shops are hidden behind the rows of vehicles parked along the road,” said Liton, a grocery store owner, speaking to The Times of Bangladesh. “With the traffic standstill, many commuters avoid this road altogether. Business has dropped sharply.”
Meanwhile, drivers whose rickshaws were seized over 21 days ago wait in queues outside the police lines, some clutching paperwork, others staring helplessly at the vehicles they once drove. Many say their livelihoods are at stake.
“My rickshaw has been stuck here for 20 days,” said driver Mofizur Rahman. “I come every day, waiting to see if I can get it back. But no one can tell us when that will happen.”
CMP Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) Shreema Chakma admitted the problem, saying that regular drives are ongoing against illegal battery-run rickshaws and small vehicles in the city. “But we don’t have enough space to store the seized vehicles. As a result, they are being kept on the roadside, which is adding to public suffering,” she added.
