S A Shofiee Sylhet :
A section of transport operators are running battery-run-cum-pedal powered rickshaws, popularly known as ‘tomtoms’ in Sylhet city. These motorised rickshaws similar to ordinary pedal-driven rickshaws, but with a battery-run motor set under the body and powered by four rechargeable batteries, involves risks of accident. Having no valid licence and road permit, these vehicles are running under the very nose of the authorities concerned.
Licence officer (vehicle branch) of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) said Sylhet City. Corporation has provided licences to 10,000 pedal-powered rickshaws but the number of these vehicles plying the city roads has almost doubled. The SCC authorities do not know how many of this new mode of motorised rickshaws ply the city roads. He said. A section of unscrupulous rickshaw operators are illegally earning money by copying the licences provided by the city corporation and using the same number plates on several rickshaws, alleged some drivers of pedal-powered rickshaws. President of Sylhet Battery-run Auto-rickshaws Workers’ Union said that nearly 4,000 families are surviving as over 5,000 motorised rickshaws are running in the city every day. Besides, over 3,000 youths have got opportunity to earn money by driving motorised rickshaws.
M Ali, a motorised rickshaw driver in Sunarpara, said he hired the battery-run rickshaw from the garage in the same area. “I pay Tk200 per day for hire of the rickshaw, but the rent was Tk 200 when it first hit the road. Traffic police do not say anything if we drive it,” Amirul added.
The chief revenue officer of SCC said thousands of battery-run motorised-rickshaws are in operation flouting ban imposed by the government in 2012.
“These bikes are run by motors, instead of engines. The vehicle emits acids and consumes a huge quantity of electricity every day for recharging, adding to load shedding,” he added.
Power Development Board (PDB), Sylhet sources said each of the auto-bikes, which have to be charged eight hours daily, consumes 7-8 units of electricity when a motor-rickshaw consumes around 2-3 units every day.
Locals complained that the recharging stations of the vehicles use electricity connections illegally.
Abdur Rashid Ranu, a resident of Tutipara area, said most of the recharging takes place at night, illegally using electricity from different electric posts.
Deputy Director of the Sylhet circle of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said that it will not give approval for the use of such battery-powered rickshaws. He said all motor vehicles need six types of documents to be on roads but the motorised-rickshaws and easy-bikes had none.
“These vehicles are illegal and we are asking people not to use them,” he added.
Former Secretary of Sylhet Pressclub Md Bosir Uddin alleged that the battery-run rickshaw drivers drive their vehicles recklessly, often causing accidents.
He also alleged, “Some leaders of the ruling party’s associate organisation Shromik League are involved in the motorised rickshaw trade. For this reason, traffic police do not prevent them from plying the roads.”
A section of transport operators are running battery-run-cum-pedal powered rickshaws, popularly known as ‘tomtoms’ in Sylhet city. These motorised rickshaws similar to ordinary pedal-driven rickshaws, but with a battery-run motor set under the body and powered by four rechargeable batteries, involves risks of accident. Having no valid licence and road permit, these vehicles are running under the very nose of the authorities concerned.
Licence officer (vehicle branch) of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) said Sylhet City. Corporation has provided licences to 10,000 pedal-powered rickshaws but the number of these vehicles plying the city roads has almost doubled. The SCC authorities do not know how many of this new mode of motorised rickshaws ply the city roads. He said. A section of unscrupulous rickshaw operators are illegally earning money by copying the licences provided by the city corporation and using the same number plates on several rickshaws, alleged some drivers of pedal-powered rickshaws. President of Sylhet Battery-run Auto-rickshaws Workers’ Union said that nearly 4,000 families are surviving as over 5,000 motorised rickshaws are running in the city every day. Besides, over 3,000 youths have got opportunity to earn money by driving motorised rickshaws.
M Ali, a motorised rickshaw driver in Sunarpara, said he hired the battery-run rickshaw from the garage in the same area. “I pay Tk200 per day for hire of the rickshaw, but the rent was Tk 200 when it first hit the road. Traffic police do not say anything if we drive it,” Amirul added.
The chief revenue officer of SCC said thousands of battery-run motorised-rickshaws are in operation flouting ban imposed by the government in 2012.
“These bikes are run by motors, instead of engines. The vehicle emits acids and consumes a huge quantity of electricity every day for recharging, adding to load shedding,” he added.
Power Development Board (PDB), Sylhet sources said each of the auto-bikes, which have to be charged eight hours daily, consumes 7-8 units of electricity when a motor-rickshaw consumes around 2-3 units every day.
Locals complained that the recharging stations of the vehicles use electricity connections illegally.
Abdur Rashid Ranu, a resident of Tutipara area, said most of the recharging takes place at night, illegally using electricity from different electric posts.
Deputy Director of the Sylhet circle of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said that it will not give approval for the use of such battery-powered rickshaws. He said all motor vehicles need six types of documents to be on roads but the motorised-rickshaws and easy-bikes had none.
“These vehicles are illegal and we are asking people not to use them,” he added.
Former Secretary of Sylhet Pressclub Md Bosir Uddin alleged that the battery-run rickshaw drivers drive their vehicles recklessly, often causing accidents.
He also alleged, “Some leaders of the ruling party’s associate organisation Shromik League are involved in the motorised rickshaw trade. For this reason, traffic police do not prevent them from plying the roads.”
