Govt launching drives in phases to free Dhaka footpaths

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has announced that drives would be conducted ‘in phases’ to free footpaths in capital Dhaka from encroachment.

He made the announcement at the 22nd meeting of the National Road Safety Council in Dhaka on Sunday.

Quader said illegal rickshaws would also be driven out from the capital.

“Several areas will be identified and then freed from grabbers in phases.”

The minister said the drives would be carried out in coordination with the city corporations.

The government would give owners and pullers a month before the launch of the anti-illegal rickshaw drives.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police and city corporations, around 225,000 rickshaws operate in the capital but about 175,000 of them are without valid licence.

Dhaka City Corporation stopped issuing licences to new rickshaws in the 1980s, but new three-wheeled carts are hitting the street every day.

Minister Quader said road transport law would be updated in consultation with transport owners.

He said 20 bus bays would be established to lessen the traffic congestions in Dhaka.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for LGRD Moshiur Rahman Ranga, columnist Syed Abul Maksud and Nirapad Sarak Chai Movement chief Ilias Kanchan were also present at the meeting.