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Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said the government is formulating a policy to regulate battery-run rickshaws, with their movement on major roads and in important areas likely to be restricted.
“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.
Rabiul said battery-run vehicles were seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and the government was concerned about the situation.
Acknowledging that many people had been dependent on the profession for years and could face difficulties under the proposed restrictions, he said a collective understanding was needed to address the existing mismanagement.
“If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in Dhaka in an uncontrolled manner, the city does not function,” he said.
Responding to a question about Jamaat leader Golam Parwar’s comments on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul criticised the opposition for failing to understand citizens’ rights and Dhaka’s needs.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami had been unable to properly assess public expectations throughout its political history, including during the Liberation War, the Ershad regime, the one-eleven period and subsequent political developments.
Rabiul also said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after the renovation, including improved greenery and other amenities.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects aimed at improving the environment in the Dhanmondi area.
The two lake-centred projects, costing around Tk 830 million, are expected to take about two and a half years to complete. The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and infrastructure development.
New facilities will also be built around Nazrul Mancha, which is currently abandoned. Rabiul said different components of the work would have to be completed in phases as they could not all be carried out simultaneously.
He stressed the need for regular maintenance and greater public awareness to preserve the lake’s greenery and environment.
“Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake,” he said, urging visitors to help keep the area clean.
Rabiul also said a separate Tk 3.5 billion project had been undertaken to address waterlogging in a large part of Dhaka South.
The project covers Dhanmondi, low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, areas stretching 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 affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.