The Supreme Court chamber judge yesterday directed the authorities concerned to maintain the status quo for a month on the issue of plying of battery-powered rickshaws on the Dhaka streets.

Justice Md Rezaul Haque, the chamber judge, said the battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws can operate in the capital during this period as livelihoods of their owners and drivers depend on the vehicles.

The apex court judge also asked the High Court to dispose of the rule issued over this matter in one month.

Yesterday's SC order brought joy to the drivers of the vehicles who have been protesting the HC order since November 19.

The chamber judge passed the order after a petition was filed by the government seeking a stay on the HC order that directed the government authorities concerned to take necessary steps to stop operation of the battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws in the city.

"We are thankful to the government and the court, as the livelihoods of 60 lakh people depend on the vehicles. We now urge the government to formulate guidelines and issue licences to ensure discipline in the operation of the vehicles," Abdul Hakim Mridha, president of Rickshaw-Van-Easy Bike Sramik Union, told The Daily Star after the SC order.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman appeared for the government while Shanjid Siddique argued for the writ petitioners during the hearing.

Senior lawyer Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal also placed arguments on behalf of the petitioners.

Lawyer Shanjid told The Daily Star that the existing battery-run rickshaws can now operate in Dhaka, but the new ones will not be able to enter the city following yesterday's order.

During yesterday's hearing, Attorney General Asaduzzaman argued that the HC order suffers from gross infirmity as it has given full relief to the writ petitioners without issuing any show-cause notice to the owners and drivers of battery-run rickshaws.

Earnings of an indefinite number of people were hampered because of the HC order, he said.

The attorney general appealed to the apex court chamber judge to stay the HC order and give at least three months' time to the government for framing a specific rule over operation of the battery-run rickshaws.

Writ petitioners' lawyer Shanjid opposed the government's petition saying that such vehicles were running without valid licences and causing accidents due to their high speeds.

He added that the Dhaka city corporations do not have the authority to issue licences for these vehicles.

He informed the court that in July 2014, the HC banned the operation of unlicensed mechanised and battery-run rickshaws nationwide.

As this directive had not been enforced, Pedal Rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance filed the petition for immediate intervention.

Following the writ petition, the HC on November 19 this year ordered the government authorities concerned to take necessary steps to stop operation of the battery-run rickshaws in the city.

In another development, several hours before the SC order, representatives from rickshaw drivers and owners met Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sk Md Sazzat Ali and promised not to run these vehicles on major roads and urged him to allow in the feeder roads.

The commissioner then assured them of meeting with them again to discuss the issues.

To tackle extortion on the streets, the DMP chief advised forming committees involving police personnel and community members.

He also warned that OCs of police stations will face suspension if they refuse to register cases after incidents that require legal action.