Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 541 Sun. December 04, 2005       Letters to Editor Rickshaws and traffic jam Humayun Hyder, Zigatola, Dhaka Rickshaw was made off-limits from Science Laboratory up to the Secretariat, (formerly Eden Building) during the Saarc Summit; and the security net has not yet been fully lifted. The decision to ban non-motorised vehicles on this important route was a long due plan of the government to ease traffic congestion by restricting slow moving vehicles. It cannot be denied that the steps helped to reduce traffic congestion. I reached Motijheel from Zigatola by a city bus in fifteen minutes only. Most importantly, on my way I didn't see any quarrel or any foul-talk between the conductor and the rickshaw-pullers which used to be a common phenomenon while rickshaws used to ply this road. What we, the commuters, actually want is a safe, improved and time saving transportation to reach our destinations. Moreover, it is inhuman to see a person pulling a rickshaw for such a long distance. Furthermore, due to lack of basic traffic knowledge an unhealthy competition used to surface between the rickshaw pullers and the bus drivers. And the situation would often go beyond control. To minimise the sufferings of the rickshaw-pullers, the government should come out with plans with the help of the donor agencies and rehabilitate them properly.