Three-wheelers on highways

After much fanfare, authorities have apparently abandoned the idea of getting slow moving three-wheelers off the highways. This comes at a time when Eid-ul-Azha is around the corner and thousands of people will be rushing to get to their home districts. It is during times like these that the highways see the highest number of casualties as large public transports vie with one another to get to their destinations. It is our apprehension that the prevalence of three-wheelers and other slow moving transports like power tillers and bull carts will inevitably lead to accidents and loss of life in the run up to the annual festivity.

Despite claims by law enforcers to the contrary, such unauthorised vehicles have been spotted plying the Kashinathpur-Pabna-Dashuria route in abundance. While we understand the need for people to move around with ease, public safety should be the foremost on our minds. It is not fathomable how accidents can be avoided when both high-speed and low-speed vehicles occupy the same stretch of highway. That said, it is equally understandable that without offering any viable alternative for people and goods to move from one point to another, it will be very difficult for law enforcers to implement the ban that was imposed on August 1.

As the High Court has ruled that unauthorised and slow-moving vehicles have to be taken off the highways, it falls upon the police to implement it. Though we sympathise with the peoples' plight of not availing these vehicles, law enforcers must implement the Court's directive.