The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Ministry of Communication has allowed about 8,000 old and out-of-date taxicabs come back to the streets of Dhaka through extending route permits. While this permission is expected to ease transport crisis to a little extent and bring relief to nearly 20,000 jobless drivers, it also sparked protests among the environmentalists. According to media reports, out of nearly 11,000 taxi cabs belonging to 90 operators, the above cabs had been remaining idle as the eight year long economic life of those cabs had expired by the end of December 2007. With the expiry of tenure route permits of those vehicles became automatically scrapped. This rendered the drivers jobless bringing sufferings to at least 1,00,000 people dependent on them. The joblessness of such a large number of low-income groups of people was a matter of concern and needed solution. The government decision is expected to bring an end to their sufferings. But the authority must ensure that those vehicles are properly repaired before bringing back to the streets because we cannot ignore the environment factor also.

The cabs were imported at the cost of hard-earned foreign currencies. Those are part of the national assets and as such need to be utilized to the best possible extent. Necessary servicing and changes of outworn parts are likely to make those re-usable. The operators must repair the taxis properly. It will not only help keep emission of poisonous gases low but also make their use for longer periods possible. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and traffic police must remain watchful to stop plying of poison emitting vehicles. Punitive measures must be taken against the violators. According to World Bank, Dhaka is one of the most polluted cities in the world because of the presence of lead and carbon gases in the air. If not properly maintained those vehicles are feared to aggravate the situation. Around one quarter of about half a million motor vehicles plying along the streets of Dhaka are reportedly out of date and emit poisonous gases. Let the old taxicabs ease the transport crisis in the city but not add to the already unbearable situation and pose threat to human health.

Ariful Huq

Mirpur, Dhaka