Photo: Collected
CNG-run autorickshaw drivers have blocked a number of locations on the Mirpur Road in protest against the government's decision to reinforce metre usage. They brought out protests in front of Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Ganobhaban and College Gate around 10am today (13 February).
CNG drivers are demanding scrapping the new decision of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to enforce the fare shown on the metre blocked the road in front of Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, said Tania Sultana, additional deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Traffic Division.
Traffic police are directing traffic from Dhanmondi toward Lake Road due to the blockade. The protest comes a day after the government sought to reinforce metre usage and fines or jail terms for CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.
They will be fined a maximum Tk50,000 or face imprisonment for up to six months for the offence, according to a letter signed by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas, sent to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner on Monday (11 February).
The letter states that in cases where the drivers charge more than the government-set meter fare, a case will be filed in accordance with the BRTA directives.
An official from the BRTA, on condition of anonymity said, "The provisions for punishment already exist in the current law. However, since it has not been strictly enforced for a long time, we are receiving complaints of overcharging. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the police to reinforce this."
Messenger/Tareq
