DHAKA: The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said Dhaka will be made rickshaw-free in the next two years.

The mayor was speaking, as a chief guest, at a workshop organized in the capital city on Tuesday (July 9).

Md Atiqul Islam said: “If all the roads in Dhaka city are combined, then it is 20 thousand kilometers. But, we have already stopped the rickshaw on only 10 kilometers of road. We have a plan to close down rickshaw service in Dhaka within two years.”

Asked about the strike launched by rickshaw owners and rickshaw-pullers, the Mayor told Banglanews: "We called the rickshaw owners and rickshaw-pullers to come to Dhaka Nagar Bhaban at 12 pm on July 12. We would like to talk to them, listen to their problems. We want them to make them understand that this kind of initiative has to be taken for the greater interest of the city.”

“Meanwhile, civil society has applauded this initiative to stop rickshaws. The process to remove rickshaws from Dhaka must be started today or tomorrow. So, we'll make them understand. We’re planning to launch BRTC’s circular vehicles on Kuril-Bishwa road,” the mayor also added.

BDST: 2038 HRS, JULY 09, 2019

AH/SMS