No rickshaws on Mirpur Road from July

The restriction that came after the World Bank's suggestion to reduce traffic jam makes the entire Mirpur Road from Gabtali to Azimpur free from rickshaws.

"Road development is going on. Hopefully, road paving will be completed by July," said Anwaruddin Khan Pathan, deputy commissioner (north) of the traffic department.

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The bar to rickshaws will come full circle with banning the slow-moving vehicles from 41 city bus-routes in phases, according to the traffic department.

The department has started installing new traffic signals to streamline traffic movement on the road.

Meanwhile, a committee to spearhead a movement against the rickshaw ban yesterday blamed the government for the decision. At a meeting, the committee accused the government of depriving the rickshaw-pullers of their right to work.

Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury, Professor Abul Barakat, social worker Mobashwar Ali and labour-rights activist Mosharefa Mishu addressed the meeting, chaired by Ramizudddin, a leader of rickshaw-pullers.

All governments are anti-poor, said Professor Chowdhury. Professor Abul Barakat said the World Bank is not working for the poor and its suggestion always goes against them.

The government is working for the capitalist and rich people by forcing rickshaws out of roads, said Mobashwar Ali.