The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has withdrawn its earlier directive instructing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to take legal action against CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who do not adhere to government-set metered fare rates. This decision came after widespread protests from CNG drivers, including road blockages and a work abstention, which caused significant disruptions in Dhaka’s traffic.
On February 10, BRTA issued a letter to DMP, directing them to enforce fines or imprisonment for drivers violating the fare regulation. The penalty for such violations could include a fine of up to Tk 50,000 or a jail term of up to six months. However, the move sparked immediate protests from CNG drivers, who voiced their opposition by blocking streets and refusing to operate their vehicles.
Traffic movement in several parts of Dhaka was severely affected this morning as CNG drivers staged blockades in different areas of the city, including in front of Suhrawardy Hospital. Local police confirmed that the blockade began around 9:00 am, while some passengers claimed the obstruction started as early as 8:00 am. This led to congestion in nearby areas, disrupting daily commuting for many residents.
Passengers also reported a shortage of CNG auto-rickshaws on the streets, with some waiting for extended periods. Nilima Akther, a private service worker, shared her frustration, stating that she had waited at Kazipara for over 30 minutes without finding any available CNG vehicles. She later learned that the drivers had gone on strike in protest.
Despite the ongoing protests, Golam Faruk, the general secretary of the Bangladesh CNG-run Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicles Transport Workers Federation, clarified that the federation had not officially called for a strike. He stated that many drivers were abstaining from work in protest against the government’s decision. Faruk mentioned that the federation planned to submit a memorandum to the BRTA later in the day to express their concerns.
In response to the protests, DMP issued a press release urging CNG drivers to lift the blockades and allow the free movement of traffic. The police also called for calm and emphasized the importance of maintaining public order.
Later in the day, both the Dhaka and Chattogram District CNG Auto Rickshaw Shramik Oikya Parishad announced plans to hold a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club at 3:00 pm to further address the issue and demand the cancellation of the BRTA order.
As the situation unfolded, the BRTA decided to retract its initial directive. The decision came after realizing the scale of disruption caused by the protests, which highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction among CNG drivers with the government’s proposed enforcement measures.
 has withdrawn its earlier directive instructing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to take legal action against CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who do not adhere to government-set metered fare rates.){kind=link}