Tangail, Mar 27 (V7N) – City dwellers in Tangail are expressing growing frustration over the overwhelming number of battery-powered autorickshaws clogging the city's streets, leading to traffic congestion, safety hazards, and increased electricity consumption.

"On every road in Tangail city, there are several times more people than at any time before. Battery-powered autorickshaws are plying," a local resident reported.

The proliferation of these autorickshaws, often driven by unskilled and underage operators, has resulted in frequent accidents and traffic disruptions.

"Unskilled and underage drivers. Accidents often occur because the steering wheel is in your hand. Many times you don't look left or right. Or, ignoring the signal, driving an autorickshaw on one leg. Passengers are being injured when they overturn while taking a turn," a traffic observer stated.

The city's alleys are now lined with garages where these autorickshaws are charged overnight, contributing to increased electricity consumption and load shedding.

"The city's alleys are lined with these autorickshaw garages have been built. These autorickshaws operate from dawn to midnight. Their garages are charged with batteries that are connected to the electric line overnight. Charging is ongoing. Once the charge is complete, the drivers take the rickshaw out in the morning. Load shedding in the city due to high electricity consumption due to charging all night. Happening," a municipal source confirmed.

Municipal records indicate that thousands of autorickshaw and easy bike licenses were issued under the previous mayor, exacerbating the problem.

"According to municipal sources, the last elected mayor was SM Sirajul Haque Alamgir. He took office as the Mayor of Tangail Municipality on March 11, 2021. During his stay, 3,220 Easybike drivers and 2,434 give driving licenses to autorickshaw drivers," a city document revealed.

Drivers, often from neighboring districts, cite the high fares and earning potential as reasons for operating in Tangail, despite the illegality of their vehicles.

"We spoke to the autorickshaw drivers. They said that these autorickshaws are very popular in the city. It is illegal to drive, yet he is forced to drive a battery-powered autorickshaw out of necessity. Driving auto-rickshaws in Tangail city is a good way to earn money because the fare is high," an interview revealed.

The widespread charging of these vehicles is also straining the city's electricity supply.

"Usually a battery-powered autorickshaw requires 4 12 volt batteries to operate. Each set of batteries The monthly electricity consumption for charging is a minimum of 300 to a maximum of 400. Unit. As a result, the electricity consumed in this sector is being affected in the lives of ordinary citizens," an energy official reported.

Residents, including students and pedestrians, are demanding immediate action to address the traffic congestion and safety concerns.

"Kumudini Government College first year students Iti, Sadia, and Tama Others said there is no need for so many auto-rickshaws and easy bikes in this small town. Due to the additional three-wheelers, a 10-minute road takes half an hour to travel. The fare is also very high. To avoid unbearable traffic jams, this illegal They demanded that the autorickshaw be removed. Pedestrian Ahad Mia said he was suffering from the thumping sound of autorickshaws in the city. It's a liability to move around. Why are there so many three-wheeled vehicles in such a small space? These are illegal. He strongly demanded that the traffic be stopped," various citizen interviews revealed.

BRTA officials acknowledge the illegality of these vehicles and the lack of traffic regulation knowledge among drivers.

"An official of Tangail BRTA, who did not want to be named, said that in practice, these Autorickshaws and easy bikes are illegal in the city. According to the Road Transport Act 2018, these are There is no legality to these vehicles," a BRTA official confirmed.

Traffic police and city officials are discussing potential solutions to alleviate the congestion.

"District Traffic Police Administrator (TI-1) Md. Delwar Hossain said, There are more auto-rickshaws and easy bikes than the needs of Tangail municipality residents. The district police is constantly trying to resolve traffic congestion. Tangail residents will soon be free from traffic congestion. He expressed hope that it would be. Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said that to resolve traffic congestion in the city, Talking to the municipality and other stakeholders about battery-powered autorickshaws Necessary measures will be taken," local officials reported.

The situation underscores the challenges of urban traffic management in rapidly developing cities.

END/BVT/RH/