Authorities concerned turn blind eye

Staff Reporter:

Fortunately or unfortunately, it is truth that, the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Sirajganj have now turned into a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw terminal that posing environmental threat and hampering official activities as well.

Despite being located the unauthorized CNG driven auto-rickshaw terminal within 10 yards of the BRTA district office, none of the authorities concerned have headache in this regard due to unknown reasons.

In contrary, there is allegation that, the undeclared CNG auto-rickshaw stand has been set up at the office premises in collaboration with the leaders and activists of the CNG auto-rickshaw owners and workers’ associations after managing some dishonest officials of the traffic police and BRTA office that posing risk for the movement of people coming to the offices for taking and providing services.

It is worth noting that, most important courts of the district are located next to the mentioned CNG stand, where hundreds of judgment seekers, lawyers and judges crowd regularly for their official works.

During a spot visit, it is found that, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws were parked in front of the main gate of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and court buildings. Many drivers wait there to pick up passengers, while some vehicles reach there to leave passengers. Consequently, the environment of the important government offices is being spoiled as well as traffic jams and chaotic situations are being created.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, a man, who came there to receive services, said that, “Illegal parking of CNG driven auto-rickshaws creates chaotic situation at the office premises. Most of the time, both service recipients and service providers face difficulties due to heavy traffic congestion in the office premises.

Arafat Islam Mahathir said that, “DC office is considered as the main center of administrative activities in the district. Establishment of such an illegal CNG auto-rickshaw stand at the place is an eyesore and matter of security concern. Various types of criminals including drug addicted and peddlers get easy access to the office premises on the blessing of such unauthorized CNG auto-rickshaw terminal.”

The general public has sought the supervision and effective action of the concerned authorities in this regard. They expect that, prompt steps will be taken to remove this illegally established CNG stand to maintain the beauty, law and order and normal environment of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, BRTA office and even courts.

DDP NGO Executive Director Kazi Sohel Rana said, “Almost 70 percent of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws plying in the district do not have valid documents like license and fitness certificates. These unauthorized vehicles ply on different roads and highways regularly after managing some officials of DC office, BRTA office and traffic police.”

“However, it is important to take effective measures against these illegal vehicles to remove traffic congestion and restore the law and order of the district. Since these CNGs have been operating without any problems for a long time with the help of influential circles and concerned parties, it is not possible to stop their uncontrolled movements and parking wherever they are. This problem needs to be permanently resolved through strict surveillance by the administration and proper enforcement of the law,” the NGO activist opined.

He urged intervention of Deputy Commissioner in this regard to remove the illegal CNG terminal from the office premises.

Aminul Islam Mallick, a lawyer of the District Judge Court said, “Consultants, lawyers and judges, as well as concerned persons, travel and gather at the court and DC office premises from morning to afternoon for various needs. Parking of CNG vehicles at such important places causes traffic disruption and destroys working environment. This problem needs to be solved quickly.”

When this correspondent tried to contact Mofakkharul Islam Mithu, Traffic Inspector (Administration) for Sirajganj over cell phone for his comment in this regard, he could not be reached.

Abu Naim, Assistant Director (Engineering) of BRTA Sirajganj Circle office told The Daily Sky that, “I have already talked to the concerned magistrate for conducting a mobile court there. I hope, we will be able to conduct the mobile court within a or two days.”

The attempts to contact Ganapati Roy, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of the district administration over cell phone also got foiled as he did not respond.