In an apparent gesture of defiance towards the government ban, shallow engine-run human haulers- ‘Karimon’ and ‘Nosimon’-are plying the streets of Chougachha upazila under Jessore district posing a serious risk of accidents.
Reckless movement of the unauthorised vehicle resulted in a large number of fatal accidents in the upazila during last one year that claimed lives of around 50 people and injured unnumbered, according to available sources.
Some 30 people got maimed in the accidents.
During a recent visit, unskilled drivers having no driving licenses were found running the rickety vehicles on different roads in Chougachha with no care for the existing law, according to UNB.
Alongside passengers, these vehicles without any fitness certificate and route permit, were also found carrying other goods like paddy, rice, bamboo, woods and cattle, reports UNB. A number of commuters and passengers said the movement of ‘Karimon’ and ‘Nasimon’ on the roads had become a nuisance for them.
They said the unregistered vehicles lacked a controlling system for emergency, as a result, number of road accidents were soaring with time.
Accidents with ‘Karimon’ and ‘Nasimon’ had now become a common phenomemnon in the area as the engine-run vehicles skid off the road. A number of people died or sustained severe injuries in these accidents, claimed many of the commuters.
They also claimed that the vehicles produce loud noise and discharge black smoke creating sound and air pollution.
They alleged that the local administration was apathetic towards taking any effective step to stop movement of the illegal vehicles despite orders given to do so.
The commuters said the drivers had legalised movement of their vehicles by managing the officials concerned.
Aminul Islam, a ‘Nosimon’ driver, said in order to get permission to ply on the road they pay Tk20 to the authorities in Chougachha municipality while Tk15 to police per day.
Therefore, the total amount of money realised from the drivers of ‘Nosimon’ and ‘Korimon’ stands monthly at Tk50,000-60,000, said Aminul.
However, Matiar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Chougachha police station, denied the allegation of taking money from the drivers of the human haulers.
He said local people demanded plying of these unauthorised vehicles in the upazila to be stopped.
