Drivers warn old autorickshaws with expired gas cylinders are ‘moving bombs’

Autorickshaw drivers who are demonstrating in demand for new vehicles have urged the BUET ‘s mechanical engineering department not to recommend extension of the expired CNG-run three-wheelers.

The drivers termed these expired vehicles ‘moving bombs’ in a memorandum submitted to the department of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology on Sunday.

Leaders of Dhaka and Chittagong units of CNG Autorickshaw Workers’ Unity Council submitted the memorandum after demonstrating in front of the university’s main gate.

They tried to gather at the Central Shaheed Minar area earlier in the morning but police stopped them.

The protesters alleged the CNG Autoricksahaw Owners’ Association was trying to have the expiry date of the vehicles extended and sent an application in this regard to the road transport and bridges ministry.

The workers’ council chief Shakhawat Hossin Dulal said the authorities had already extended the expiry date of the autorickshaws in the capital and the port city several times from nine years to 15 years.

He said now the owners are trying to get another extension though these autorickshaws ‘often cause accidents’.

“These old autorickshaws have turned into moving bombs…we don’t want to drive these anymore,” he added.

Explaining the term ‘moving bombs’, Dulal said these vehicles are using expired gas cylinders because replacements are not available.

“These can explode anytime leading to casualties,” he said. 

They will go on strike for 48 hours from Dec 27 as they push an eight-point charter of demand. If it is not met, they will stage a nonstop strike from Jan 15.

Their demands are:

>> Replacing expired autorickshaws with new vehicles in Dhaka and Chittagong.

>> Distributing 5,000 autorickshaws among the drivers in Dhaka and 4,000 in Chittagong.

>> Cancelling app-based transport services like Uber and Pathao.

>> Dropping provisions that go against workers' interests from a draft transport law.

>> Cancelling practical test for renewing driving licence.

>> No case for unauthorised parking.

>> Stopping 'harassment' of drivers.

>> Allowing registered autorickshaw drivers to travel anywhere in Dhaka district.