Auto-rickshaw drivers block rail line

Battery-operated auto-rickshaw drivers have been staging demonstration by blocking railway tracks in the capital’s Jurain area, halting rail connectivity between Dhaka and Padma Bridge route.

They started their demonstration by taking position on the rail lines around 11:00 am on Friday (November 22), protesting the High Court decision banning the vehicles from the Dhaka metropolitan area.

Additional number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to bring the situation under control. However, a chase and counter chase took place between the driver and police.

It is also reported that battery-operated rickshaw drivers  blocked Mohakhali, Agargaon, Mohammadpur, Basila, Mirpur, Shewrapara, Gabtoli and Demra areas in the capital on Thursday (November 21), causing massive traffic congestion on these roads and significant inconvenience for commuters. 

The battery-operated rickshaw drivers also blocked different Dhaka roads on Wednesday protesting the High Court decision banning the vehicles from the Dhaka metropolitan area. 

A High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Mahmudur Rajib on Tuesday (November 19) directed the authority concerned to stop the operation of battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka city within the next three days.