Photo : Messenger
The streets of Kurigram town are witnessing a surge in illegal battery-run auto rickshaws and mixers, leading to significant traffic congestion and increased risk of accidents. These unauthorized stands have sprung up at various junctions and important areas, severely impacting the daily lives of residents and commuters.
The College crossing, municipality bazar, Shapla square, and other key locations are now hotspots for traffic snarls, with the influx of these battery-operated vehicles making it difficult for other vehicles, motorcyclists, and cyclists to navigate. Pedestrians are also finding it hard to move freely, and minor accidents are becoming a daily occurrence.
The situation has become so dire that even the entrance to the Kurigram General Hospital is often blocked by auto rickshaws, causing delays for patients in need of urgent care. The stands from which these auto rickshaws operate lead to sudden stops in the middle of the road, exacerbating traffic jams during peak hours.
The number of these illegal vehicles is on the rise, causing inconvenience to school-college students and working professionals who often find themselves unable to reach their destinations on time.
Despite efforts by the traffic police to manage the situation, these vehicles frequently violate traffic rules. The traffic department has attempted to alleviate the congestion by implementing one-way traffic diversions with barricades, but the presence of auto stands on three sides in the Shapla Chatwar area hinders the passage of larger vehicles, resulting in prolonged traffic jams.
The issue is not limited to Kurigram town; the eight upazila headquarters in the district are also grappling with similar problems.
Local residents and commuters have shared their experiences, highlighting the difficulties they face due to the unregulated presence of these vehicles. Advocate Ahsan Habib Nilu, president of Kurigram Conscious Citizen Committee (SANAK), emphasized the need for a policy and regulatory framework to address the issue, pointing out that according to the Vehicle Act, these battery-operated auto rickshaws and mixers are not legally permitted.
Kurigram Sadar Traffic In charge AKM Baniul Anam assured that the traffic department is working on relocating the auto stands to mitigate the traffic congestion and improve the overall situation in the town.
Messenger/Fameema
