Regulate battery rickshaws, free Dhaka footpaths

Business leaders at a discussion yesterday urged the government to regulate the rapidly growing number of battery-run rickshaws, free Dhaka’s footpaths and roads from hawker encroachment, address waterlogging, and repair dilapidated roads.

They also called on the Dhaka South City Corporation to extend the trade licence renewal period to five years.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and DSCC jointly organised the discussion at the DCCI auditorium, with DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam as the chief guest.

Business leaders raised concerns over the uncontrolled growth of battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, questioning how many such vehicles were operating in the city and calling for a proper regulatory framework.

“Please make sure that businesspeople do not face any kind of harassment while conducting their businesses. By harassment, I mean the excessive increase in charges [city corporation tax, trade licence fees and signboard fees],” a speaker said.

In reply, Salam, a former DCCI vice-president, said businesspeople should be able to operate without harassment. He said he had rejected proposals to increase such fees after taking charge.

Salam said trade licences should be issued on the same day and urged people to report any delays for immediate action. He said the city corporation was also expanding banking facilities and working to enable online payment of taxes and trade licence renewals.

“You have asked for a five-year trade licence renewal period. Yes, we can do that,” he said.

On battery-run rickshaws and hawkers, Salam said hawkers had spread across almost every neighbourhood and the situation could not continue without discipline.

“We are already bringing them under a registration system. We have said the same thing regarding rickshaw drivers. You cannot simply come to Dhaka today and start driving a rickshaw tomorrow, or start hawking with a stall,” he said.

The authorities would determine the number of rickshaws and hawkers allowed to operate and issue licences and identification numbers, while their biodata would be maintained in a database, he said.

Salam urged business leaders to help address problems in their respective areas. He said some shopkeepers themselves occupy footpaths with additional shops and collect rent from them, describing the practice as extortion.

“We definitely want to stop extortion, regardless of which political party is involved. No political party should be allowed to engage in extortion,” he said.

On waterlogging, Salam said around 32 locations in Dhaka experience water accumulation after heavy rain. The city corporation is using pumps and has undertaken drainage projects to eventually discharge rainwater into the Buriganga.

He also stressed preserving canals and open spaces and reducing excessive concrete coverage to allow rainwater to seep into the ground.

Masud Karim, assistant police commissioner (DMP), said police were modernising Dhaka’s policing through technology, including AI-enabled cameras.

“We have installed AI cameras at various locations and are getting good results. We want to expand their use further,” he said, adding that cameras had been installed in Gulshan and similar initiatives were underway in Mohammadpur and other areas.

Regarding battery-run rickshaws, Karim said police were conducting drives and seizing vehicles, while the police, city corporation and relevant ministries were working on a clear policy for a permanent solution.

On hawkers, Karim said eviction drives had been conducted in several areas, but hawkers often returned. Temporary rehabilitation followed by a permanent solution was being considered, he said.

He said police had given the highest priority to combating extortion and instructed local police to take strict action against those involved.