Elections bring boon for Dhaka rickshaw-pullers

"Are you out of your mind?" a female staff of Bangladesh Betar snapped when a rickshaw-puller claimed Tk 80 for a ride from Asad Gate to Shishu Mela in the capital yesterday. Usually, it costs her no more than Tk 30. 

Most city dwellers had reacted this way since a 24-hour ban on all types of vehicle except for rickshaws and rickshaw-vans was imposed at 12:00 midnight yesterday due to the city corporation polls.

Travelling around the city, this correspondent saw many rickshaw-pullers charging passengers as much as Tk 100 for a ride between Khamarbari and Kazipara, while on a normal day they would spare only half the amount for the trip.

Amir Hamza, a garment trader, who had to give Tk 70, instead of Tk 30, for a ride from Begunbari to Farmgate, said this malpractice should be stopped immediately.

The residents of Mirpur, Uttara, Rampura, Dhanmondi, Gulshan and Baridhara had similar experiences.

A female student, who had to pay Tk 80 for travelling from Dhaka City College to Lalmatia, Block-B, said, "It is a big day for mamas but a rainy day for people like us, from middle-class families."

The authorities should take punitive action against such offenders. But with a wide smile, the rickshaw-puller who carried the girl, said, "As all the year round, we suffer financial hardship, let this day be ours."