CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners have extended their strike postponement till June 21 from June 9, demanding a revision of the recently published gazette notification regarding lifespan extension of existing auto-rickshaws and a new hike in fare rates.
The decision came at a tripartite meeting of BRTA officials, Buet experts and CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners at the BRTA headquarter yesterday.
After the meeting, Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-Rickshaw Malik Samity Oikya Parishad President Barkat Ullah Bulu told the Dhaka Tribune that from June 22, a three-day non-stop strike would be enforced if their demand for a revisiting of the gazette notification was not met.
“The government in its gazette notification set a condition that auto-rickshaw owners must overhaul the three-wheeler engines within its 12th year. But, only six months are left till the end of the 12th year and it is not possible to overhaul the engines within this short time,” Bulu said.
“Buet experts also said it was not possible for them to check all auto-rickshaws in this limited period,” he added.
Bulu further demanded revision of the gazette in line with the recommendations made by Buet regarding the lifespan extension of the existing CNG-run auto-rickshaws. Meanwhile, BRTA Chairman Nazrul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that they will decide on the issue after consulting with the ministry.
Earlier, the government added four more years to the lifespan of CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong, which had already passed 11 years in operation, upon six specific conditions.
The conditions included ensuring fitness of the existing CNG-run auto-rickshaws, full engine overhauling by the 12th year, change of hood-cover along with a change of the body colour, repairing of body, suspension, breaks, transmission and other parts.
Moreover, capacity of the gas cylinders and efficiency of CNG fuel system and other parts had to be examined by government-certified workshops. Vehicle owners were also asked to keep a Log Book containing information of the overhauling and repairing works done.
The gazette said fitness of all the auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong has to be certified by Buet or Cuet.
However, auto-rickshaw owners, however, rejected the conditions and called a 72-hour strike last month to meet their 7-point demand.
On the second day of the strike, the owners postponed the protests in the capital till June 9 following assurance from the government that their demands would be met within the timeframe, which ended on Monday.
