Separate lanes for rickshaw demanded

Binding their feet together protesters symbolised the immobility of the public in the absence of rickshaws from the city streets.

Organisers said banning rickshaws is equivalent to shackles on people's feet.

They protested the decision to ban rickshaws permanently from Matsya Bhaban to Katabon during the Saarc summit from other streets.

The organisers said rickshaws are a necessity, not a problem and suggested that their movement should be planned, not banned.

Motorised vehicles are responsible for pollution and the environment, they said.

The rickshaw-free roads are also facing traffic jams, protesters said. A planned traffic system is the requirement of the day.

Traffic is still sloppy from Mohakhali to Shahbagh. Banning rickshaws from Gabtoli to Kalabagan has reduced the jam, but the increasing number of private cars is creating more chaos.

A handful of people travel in private cars taking up a lot of street-space and for those who use rickshaws separate lanes should be made available.

Participating in the rally were the Ushika's Executive Director, Ibnul Saeed Rana and General Secretary A Kuddus, along with General Secretary, Dhaka Cycling Club Azharul Islam Masum, Project Manager, WBB Trust Amit Ranjan Dey, Convenor of Streets for the People Maruf Rahman, President, Waqf Kuheli Mustafa and representatives of other organisations.