The decision taken by the government to make the Bangla Motor Crossing off-limits to rickshaw has brought great sufferings and miseries to thousands of commuters of the adjacent localities. According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Traffic Department the main aim of the Rickshaw ban was to reduce the traffic jam at the Bangla Motor and on VIP road. In their opinion haphazard movement of rickshaw's through Bangla Motor creates traffic jam at the intersection and flows of traffic on the VIP road also slows down for it. It is manifested from the proposition given by the DMP that they are trying to clear the VIP road all time with the intention that the so-called VIPs can drive their luxury vehicles in full speed on the free road. The problems and sufferings of the common people for whom rickshaw is the only transport and those who can't avail luxury car never come to their consideration and therefore such arbitrary decision can be taken very easily without making any alternative arrangement of transport throwing thousands of commuters into miseries.The residents of Mogbazar, Bangla Motor and the adjacent areas have now no alternative but to walk about one kilometer on way to Shahbag, Hatirpul, Elephant Road etc. Residents of Mogbazar are affected the most by this decision as they are now totally isolated from the western side of the VIP road. We cannot deny the achievement of our independence through the blood and sacrifice of the common people but after 33 years of the independence they are the most neglected here. It seems that rules and regulations are formed in this country only for protecting the interest of VIPs and privileged groups. The government should remember that it is the common people who are the source of all power according to our constitution and the roads as well as the whole Bangladesh are their properly not the property of only VIPs.
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