Cumilla Correspondent

There are instructions not to give gas to unregistered auto-rickshaws and octane to motorcycles but the filling stations or petrol pumps do not comply this order.

Unregistered CNG-powered auto-rickshaws and motorcycles are seen randomly abound in Cumilla city despite having instructions not to give gas to unregistered auto-rickshaws and octane to motorcycles, but filling stations-petrol pumps are not complying with it.

As a result, these vehicles are roaming on the highway. Accidents are also happening at the same time. The civil society of Cumilla demanded Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to take effective steps to overcome this situation.

If you want to know, Citizen for good governance (Sujan) President of Cumilla Shah Md. Alamgir Khan said that all crimes are committed in unregistered vehicles. Kishore gangs ride motorcycles. Autorickshaws are used by smugglers, drug dealers, crooks. Strict action should be taken against them. They increase traffic congestion and accidents.

According to Cumilla BRTA sources, there are 20,562 autorickshaws registered in the district. Cumilla -Th-11 to 13 serials of these autorickshaws ply in 17 upazilas of the district. Meanwhile, there are 66 thousand 188 motorcycles registered in the district.

Out of them 26 thousand 414 Cumilla -L serial motorcycles and 39 thousandth and 774 Cumilla -H serial motorcycles. Apart from this, the registration of BRTA in other districts shows few motorcycles plying on the roads.
However, the number of unregistered vehicles will be at least over 100,000.

After investigation and on the ground, it has been seen that unnumbered motorcycles are roaming on different roads of Cumilla city and district from highways, major-minor roads. These have no road permit, no number. Some motorcycles have motorcycle company stickers on the back. Some have 'press' written on them. Most of these types of motorcycles are owned by the poor, unemployed and young boys of the area. The same is the case with autorickshaws. It does not contain any number after Cumilla -Th. There are complaints and rumours, multiple vehicles using the same number are plying the road.

At least 12 unnumbered motorcycles and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws were seen operating in Kandirpar Pubali Chattar of the city at 2 o'clock last Wednesday and at 12 noon in Tomchambridge area. This vehicle is moving in front of the police.

On condition of anonymity, the driver of an unnumbered CNG-powered auto-rickshaw said, "Stickers were put on various auto-rickshaws manually by law enforcement officers. It takes a maximum of 1,500 to a minimum of 1,000 taka. We drive on stickers. Donate at different places. Various problems to register. So I am not registering.

Ali Mansoor Farooq, owner of Riverview Filling Station, said, "We don't give gas and octane to unregistered vehicles." Cumilla traffic inspector Ziaul Chowdhury said that the operation against illegal motorcycles and autorickshaws is continuing. Hundreds of vehicles have been prosecuted and fined in the past few days.

Parkon Chowdhury, assistant director of BRTA Cumilla, said, "We will start an operation soon against unregistered motorcycles and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws." They are used in various types of criminal activities.

BRTA Comilla President and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan said, 'A mobile court will be set up against unregistered vehicles and action will be taken through the Executive Magistrate. Youth gangs are using unregistered motorcycles in Cumilla town. Various types of illegal goods are brought and taken by auto-rickshaws.

There will be eighty-six campaigns against it. BRTA meeting will be held in a week. I will start the campaign with a decision in that meeting. Meanwhile, our routine work is going on.