Battery-run rickshaw drivers continue road blockade for 6th day

The drivers have been blocking roads in the capital for six consecutive days, protesting the High Court’s ban on the operation of battery-powered rickshaws.

They blocked the road in the Agargaon area of Dhaka on Tuesday (November 25) at around 10:30 am, resulting in the suspension of vehicular movement on that road.

Confirming the matter to Jago News, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Traffic-Mirpur Division, Tania, said, "Battery-powered rickshaw drivers have blocked the road in Agargaon. Due to their blockade, traffic is being disrupted. To keep traffic flowing, we are redirecting vehicles from Mirpur 10 to alternative routes. We are working to bring the situation under control."

Earlier, on Sunday, rickshaw drivers staged a sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club, pressing for 12 demands, including the resumption of battery-powered rickshaws. Following this, the Rickshaw-Van-Easybike Workers' Union announced the suspension of their programme and decided to meet with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali.

On the other hand, hundreds of rickshaw drivers also gathered at Mohammadpur Beribadh Road, Tin Rasta Mor, Jatrabari Mor, and Kamrangirchar, blocking these roads entirely and disrupting all types of vehicular movement. This caused immense suffering for office-goers and commuters.

However, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday stated that the issue of battery-powered auto-rickshaw operations would be resolved in light of the High Court's directive.

The High Court, on November 19, directed the cessation or restriction of battery-powered auto-rickshaw operations within three days across all roads in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area. This directive was issued to the Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka's Deputy Commissioner, administrators of the two city corporations, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner.