Traffic congestion at the important points of Sylhet city has got to turn for worse with illegal battery-run easy-bikes being pressed into operation on the roads increasingly day by day. The vehicles, also of an unlicensed mode, in their thousands already dominate the traffic, rather more to the nuisance of the city dwellers than coming to their benefit.
Besides, haphazard parking of the rickshaws and battery-run auto-rickshaws by the side of markets, shopping malls, educational institutions and key installations are narrowing the space of the streets, hampering smooth vehicular movement.
General Secretary of Sylhet Battery-run Easy-Bike Workers’ Union said nearly 15,000 families live on 14,000 easy-bikes operating on the city streets. Besides, over 6,000 youths have got opportunity to earn money by running easy-bikes.
President of the Sylhet Workers’ Union said, ‘Easy-bikes are more environment friendly than taxies and human haulers.
Besides, easy-bikes charge less fare than auto-rickshaws. So, this type of transport has gained popularity particularly among the low-income group people and students.’
Sylhet City Corporation Licence Officer (Vehicle branch) said after the branch’s introduction in the city, they issued only 2,500 licences in 2010 and no new licences has so far been issued since. On the other hand, SCC has provided licences to 17,000 rickshaws but the number of these vehicles plying the city roads has almost doubled.
The chief revenue officer of SCC said, thousands of battery-run easy- bikes are in operation flouting ban imposed by the government in 2012. ‘This type of vehicle is run by motor, instead of engine. It emits acid and consumes huge electricity every day for recharging, adding to load-shedding,’.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police said, ‘I don’t know anything about police taking illegal toll from this type of vehicle. But separate parking space for three-wheelers and keeping their number and movement under control can help ease traffic jam.
