Petition to ply bikes on Padma Bridge rejected

The High Court yesterday rejected a petition that sought its directive on the government to allow people to operate motorcycles on the Padma Bridge.

HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir Lytton passed the rejection order considering that the petition was not presented properly.

The court said the government has banned operation of motorcycle on Padma Bridge till further order, which is a policy decision, and therefore, this court will not interfere into this matter.

Petitioner's lawyer Iarul Islam told The Daily Star that they are yet to decide whether the petition will be moved before another HC bench.

KM Abu Hanif Hridoy, president of Bangladesh Republican Party, a political organisation, submitted the petition on December 12 last year.

Citing the petition, Iarul Islam said the government decision prohibiting motorcycles on the Padma Bridge has violated article 36 of the Constitution that ensured people's right to freedom of movement.

The bridge division on June 26 last year banned motorcycles on Padma Bridge from 6:00am on June 27 last year until further notice. Two people were killed in an accident while riding on a motorcycle on the Padma Bridge on June 26 last year, the very day it opened for the public.