Residents of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan have made five demands, including action against illegal auto-rickshaws, easing traffic congestion and ensuring safe alternative public transport.
They made the demands at a public awareness rally organized by the Gulshan Society at Gulshan-2 on Friday afternoon.
Gulshan Society President Barrister Omar Sadat, the rally’s chief organizer, said: “We are not against auto-rickshaws or anyone’s livelihood. We want safe roads. To achieve this, all types of vehicles must operate in an orderly and regulated manner.”
He said: “A country cannot run by relying on rickshaws. There is no such system anywhere in the world. Therefore, illegal auto-rickshaws must be removed and alternative livelihood opportunities must be created for their drivers. Necessary training should also be arranged for them.”
Omar Sadat said uncontrolled transport and severe traffic congestion were among the country’s major problems.
“One of the problems of our country is unbearable traffic congestion and an uncontrolled transport system. To move the economy forward, we need a skilled workforce, which we lack. This is why foreign investment is not coming,” he said.
“We have been talking for a long time about illegal battery-powered rickshaws and the congestion, disorder and insecurity they cause. But the problem has not been resolved,” he added.
He expressed determination to continue the protest until the demands are met.
The five demands are: allowing only licensed auto-rickshaws to operate; restricting their movement on major, important and high-risk roads; ensuring regular enforcement of traffic laws; introducing safe alternative public transport; and providing alternative livelihood opportunities for auto-rickshaw drivers.
Gulshan Society Secretary General Mujibur Rahman Mridha, former Secretary General Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, Banani Society President Shawkat Ali Dilan and other prominent residents of the areas attended the rally and spoke in support of the demands.
