Illegal battery-run rickshaws, easy bikes imposing accident risks

Tanjimun Rishad, Barisal

Illegal battery-powered easybikes and rickshaws plying in Barisal City are getting out of control. Due to a lack of proper supervision and control, the number of these illegal vehicles is increasing one after another. Along with this, the amount of minor accidents and power wastage is increasing. Concerned people claim that more than 15 thousand battery-operated rickshaws are plying in Barisal city area of 58 square kilometers. More than 5 thousand three-wheelers are moving.
However, the controlling body Barisal City Corporation, and the traffic department of the Metropolitan Police do not have specific statistics on illegal easybikes.Even regarding the control of illegal vehicles, there is no visible initiative in the concerned administration. Rather, one department is trying to impose the responsibility of control on another department. However, BRTA says that the number of illegal easybikes and battery rickshaws plying in the city is more than the volume.
The responsible officials of the organization think that the initiative of the city corporation is necessary to stop these illegal easybikes or battery rickshaws. On the surface, it can be seen that numerous battery powered easy bikes and rickshaws are plying on the route from Rupatali bus stand to Launchghat, Nathullabad to Rupatali and Launchghat, Jailkhana junction to Nathullabad and Beltala, Launchghat to Beltala, Chaumatha to Navagram, Battala and Shebachim Hospital. Apart from this, these illegal vehicles are also plying in the internal routes of the city.
On the surface, more than 20-25 easybikes and three-wheelers or CNG are plying every minute in front of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital on Hospital Road and Band Road in the city. As a result, there is a long traffic jam on every road.
Despite the ban, easybikes and three-wheelers are transporting passengers at risk on the Dhaka-Barisal-Patuakhali highway from Gariyarpar on the border of the city to Nalchiti zero point. As a result, there are frequent reports of accidents and casualties. Moreover, passengers claim that the fare of these vehicles is out of control. Passengers are being held hostage and collecting fares as they like. Now legal or illegal, any vehicle has no fare below Tk 10.
A source in charge of traffic department of Barisal Metropolitan Police said, "The control of Easybike is in the hands of City Corporation. But due to political reasons they are not taking any strong action in this regard. Again, the traffic department is not able to take action against the illegal easybikes and battery operated rickshaws due to the pressure of the movement of the left political organizations. Easybike drivers and owners are taking advantage of that opportunity. Unauthorized easybikes and rickshaws are coming down the road one after another.
Even outside the city, easybikes, battery rickshaws and three-wheelers from different districts and upazilas are plying in the city. As a result, day or night, there is always traffic jam on Sadar Road, Nathullabad, New Bazar, Rupatali, Sagardi, Hatim Ali College Chowmatha, BattalaChowmatha and Launchghat roads.
On the other hand, there are allegations against the local authorities of illegal trade from easybikes and rickshaws plying on various routes within the city. Under whose umbrella illegal easybikes are plying on those routes.
Regarding easybikes, BRTA Barisal Divisional Director Ziaur Rahman said, 'Easybikes or battery-powered rickshaws are illegal. The number of illegal vehicles has increased so much that the city has exceeded its capacity. Controlling their numbers is very important.
Drawing the attention of Barisal City Mayor to control illegal vehicles in the city, this official of BRTA said, "It is the responsibility of the city corporation to control easybikes." But we are trying to increase the number of legal vehicles as an alternative to illegal vehicles. This will reduce the number of illegal vehicles.

Barisal Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police RunaLaila said, "We sat with the City Corporation on the issue. Decisions have also been made regarding illegal vehicles. City Corporation is supposed to take initiatives to implement them. Avoiding the question whether the initiative has been implemented, this official of the traffic department advised the city corporation authorities to ask the question, saying, "Our legal action against illegal easybikes and rickshaws is ongoing."