Dhaka: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today highlighted the crucial role of rickshaw pullers in the July mass uprising, stating that incorporating them into a licensing framework will prevent them from being labeled as illegal or facing harassment. "Our rickshaw pullers were among the key participants in the July mass uprising. By incorporating them into a licensing framework, we can ensure that they are no longer considered illegal, nor they will face harassment, allowing them to ply rickshaw with rightful civic recognition," Mahmud said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser made this remark while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a training programme on low-speed battery-operated three-wheeler (e-rickshaw) at the auditorium of Nagar Bhaban of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), as stated in a press release. He emphasized that both rickshaw driver licensing and vehicle registration systems will be made available online to eliminate opportunities for corruption.
Initially, a fixed number of e-rickshaws will operate within Zone-1 of Dhaka's two city corporation areas, with plans to gradually increase the number. An app and website will be developed to connect all rickshaws under a network, and the license plate will feature a quick response (QR) code for traffic police to access vehicle information.
Asif Mahmud further noted that after August 5, when no traffic police were on duty, students voluntarily managed traffic without any remuneration, driven by patriotism. Consequently, students were included in the master trainer training sessions alongside personnel from the police and Department of Youths.
Referring to road safety data during recent Eid, Mahmud stated that approximately 32 percent of road accidents are linked to auto-rickshaws. Despite various challenges and time constraints, the initiative is being launched through collective efforts.
Prior to the programme, Mahmud inspected newly designed battery-powered rickshaws displayed on the ground floor of Nagar Bhaban. The function was presided over by Local Government Division Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, with the attendance of Chief Adviser's special assistants Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb and Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, and administrators of two city corporations.