Despite a ban, three-wheelers such as Nasimon, Karimon and CNG-driven auto-rickshaws continue to run on highways across Bangladesh, flouting High Court rule and putting the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and drivers at risk.
The government on August 1 last year imposed a ban on the running of slow-moving three-wheelers on highways across the country, with a view to preventing frequent accidents.
The ban came into effect in the wake of over 240 deaths in a series of road accidents nationwide before and after Eid ul-Fitr.
But after a few days, unscrupulous transport owners and workers started their regular business under the very nose of the district administration.
In Sirajganj, a portion of Bogra Nagarbari Highway from Hatikumrul intersection to Ullapara, Shahjadpur to Baghabari via Bera upazila is in the grip of these illegal vehicles.
During a recent visit to a 50km section of the highway, this correspondent found that transport workers had also set up makeshift stands to return to their illegal transport business.
The transport workers also pick up passengers from random places, causing traffic congestion at some points of the highway.
Officer-in-Charge of Hatikumrul police station Abdul Quader Zilani told the Dhaka Tribune that they had already checked the plying of three-wheelers on highways, but had yet to do the same on the Bogra-Nagarbari Highway due to manifold problems.
He also said they recently had a discussion on finding a way to stop the plying of illegal vehicles on highways.
“Over 300 cases were filed over the running of three-wheelers such as Nasimon, Karimon and CNG-driven auto-rickshaws on district highways.”
The OC added that they had already begun distributing leaflets to passengers to raise awareness about the adverse impact of availing the illegal transports.
“It is not possible for us to stop the plying of three-wheelers on highways without the help of the Ullapara and Shahjadpur police,” he added.
However, Officer-in-Charge of Ullapara police station Kausik Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune that the Bogra-Nagarbari Highway was under the jurisdiction of highway police. The highway police should have taken measures against this illegal practice, he added.
“Why are highway police not filing cases against the illegal vehicles? If they do so, we [Ullapara and Shahjadpur police] can help them,” he said.
Moreover, Officer-in-Charge of Shahjadpur police station Md Rezaul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune that they regularly conduct drives against illegal vehicles on the highway. Despite the drive, some illegal vehicles continue to ply on it.
Assistant Director of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Sirajganj Jamal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune that although they had a manpower shortage, they were still accompanying the executive magistrate during a drive against Nasimon and Karimon and other three-wheelers.
Inspector of District Traffic Department (administration) Miladul Huda told the Dhaka Tribune that they were following a zero-tolerance policy over illegal vehicles.
“We are conducting drives regularly. We should strengthen our vigilance which we cannot do due to lack of manpower and logistics.”
