<i>Drivers flout traffic rules</i>
Resume drive to discipline unruly autorickshaws, buses to ensure safe, hassle-free journey
A traffic sergeant inspects a CNG-run autorickshaw during a drive against the three-wheelers without meters.Photo: STAR
The CNG-run autorickshaws and city service buses have continued to violate traffic rules in the port city after the traffic department suspended its drive against reckless driving and illegal parking for Eid-ul-Fitr. Commuters urged the law enforcers to resume the drive as many of the drivers flout traffic rules, posing risk of accidents. With a view to ensuring safe and hassle-free journey, the traffic department of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) started the drive against the vehicles on September 14 that improved the traffic system in the port city. It conducted the drives to ensure installation of meters in the CNG-run autorickshaws, fares according to meters and movement of city service buses based on counters, to stop realising fare inside the buses and charging extra fare and overloading in the tempos. Sources said during the drives until September 28, the authorities filed over 1600 cases against CNG-run autorickshaws and seized 571 ones for not installing meters. It also filed 675 cases against city service buses and tempos for violating traffic rules. They also seized 104 buses and tempos. The regular passengers hailed such an initiative by the traffic department. Rajesh Mutsuddi, an official of Samuda Chemical Complex, said most of the CNG-run autorickshaws used meters during the drive which they generally avoid and charge extra fare and lock into altercation with the passengers over use of meters. The much wanted counter service for the city buses on ten routes has also been implemented during the drive, said the sources. Moreover, traffic department has increased the amount of fine from Tk 450 to Tk 700 against CNG-run three-wheelers which were seized during the drive, sources said. It, however, has reduced the fine against city service buses for selling tickets through counters from Tk 3200 to Tk 1200 as most of them follow the rules, sources said. Prosecution-in-Charge Sergeant Najmul Islam said if they get any complaints of misbehaviour with passengers by the bus staffs, they fine them Tk 3200. During the Eid, autorickshaws did not use meters and charged extra fare from the passengers in the name of Eid 'bakhshish' (tips) and the bus counters have disappeared from the city streets. The situation has become now intolerable. Rahman was seen arguing with a CNG driver over fare at Dewanhat intersection on Monday. He said, “I usually pay Tk 30 to go to my residence at Didar Market at Sirajdoulah Road from Dewanhat while the driver now demands Tk 50. Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Md Mahmudur Rahman said they would resume the drives within a very short time and looking for alternative ways besides such drives. Referring to the indifferent attitude of a section of passengers, he emphasised on creating public awareness about the traffic rules. Many passengers do not want to pay according to the meters of CNG-run autorickshaws while many are seen waiting on the roads far away from the counters for the city buses causing congestion, he added. He further said they would take more effective measures for streamlining traffic in the port city at the next meeting of Road Transport Committee (RTC) scheduled to be held soon.
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