Battery-run rickshaw drivers block roads again in Agargaon

Like the previous few days, battery-operated rickshaw drivers are staging demonstrations by blocking roads in the capital’s Agargaon area demanding the withdrawal of a High Court order to stop the operation of such three-wheelers.

They initiated the protest after 10:30am on Monday (November 25) by taking position on the streets in the area.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Traffic Division Mirpur Yasina Ferdous confirmed this to risingbd.

He said, “Operation of vehicles is being hampered as some battery-run rickshaw drivers blocked the road in the Agargaon area this morning. We are trying to disperse them to bring the situation under control.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office filed an appeal this morning seeking a stay on the 19 November High Court order that asked authorities concerned to stop the operation of battery-powered rickshaws on the streets of the Dhaka metropolitan area within three days.

On Saturday (November 23), the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van, and Easybike Sangram Parishad at a rally issued a seven-day ultimatum for authorities concerned to finalise a guideline formulated specifically for them to operate on Dhaka streets.

Demanding a re-evaluation of the High Court order, the drivers and workers sought permission to operate following the implementation of the guideline.

Earlier yesterday (November 24), the battery-run rickshaw drivers and workers, who have been demonstrating around Dhaka city for the past few days, suspended the sit-in programme pressing 12 demands in front of the National Press Club in the capital.