Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon has called upon the agitating rickshaw drivers to take it into consideration that banning rickshaws on three roads only out of hundreds would not hit their livelihood.
The mayor made this clarion call while inaugurating a workshop on city bus reform at a city hotel on Monday.
He said the ban of rickshaw plying has been imposed to ensure mobility to some extent on both ways of the north-south corridor amid chronic traffic congestion there caused by the ongoing construction of metro rail. "The initiative was taken only to give respite to some extent to city dwellers who are losing productive working hours due to traffic jam in the entire city that is caused by the situation [ongoing construction of metro rail] in the north-south corridor."
Khokon also requested all concerned not to hold captive lacs of people to press for realising demands, saying the city corporation always welcomes talks to resolve any problem.
"Rickshaw puller brothers, listen to your leaders, do have a cup of tea at Nagar Bhaban with me, let's listen each other points to find a solution," he said.
He added that it has to be kept in mind that the city is inhabited by all and no one has the right to cripple life of people for one group's demand.
Replying to questions on withdrawing illegal rickshaws and freeing footpaths as a means to the solution of traffic congestion, the mayor said the two city corporations, like other 56 service agencies, do not have the capacity of seizing more than a million illegal three wheelers now plying in the city.
Around 75000 rickshaws have so far been given licences by the two city corporations but the number of illegal rickshaws has been claimed to be over 2.0 million here, he pointed out.
Ruling out the allegation of an alarming dengue situation in the city, they mayor said the situation is under control and that they will soon provide medical teams for treating affected people.
