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I came across this important and interesting news item in the business page of an English-language daily on February 28. Unfortunately, no other English daily possibly carried the news, as I glance across most of them. It speaks of the ingenuity and pioneering role of this Japan-Bangladesh joint venture. Being interested in the subject, I would be obliged if you could throw more light on the subject.
   Naturally the environment will be the first beneficiary in Bangladesh; where noxious diesel exhaust fumes is one of the foremost environmental culprits. The problem to the user will be the estimated retail price of this fuel compared to normal diesel fuel. If government can help in rationalising the market price of this healthy fuel, then the country will be immensely benefited. It will also relieve the pressure on natural gas and petroleum fuel needed for road and riverine transport.
   Possibly, use of this fuel will not need any costly conversion kit needed for CNG use. May be in the future it could usher in the era of diesel powered automobiles replacing the existing noxious petrol driven vehicles, and save fuel costs and improve the environment.
   I would request you to come forward with more information on this topic to create interest and awareness for potential users and create positive support for bio diesel fuel.
   SA Mansoor
   Gulshan, Dhaka

In kingly hubris, they even defy the verdict of the higher judiciary. The path to successful democracy is said to be turbulent, but it really is not meant to be turbulent. The Western world has learned the virtue of democracy painstakingly. But our neighbouring giant has learned the same at ease, simply because they are blessed with leaders who had a sense of foresight and a sense of history.
   We, unfortunately, are lacking in both. Thus we see matrimonially horizontal or genetically vertical flow of anointed leadership in both major political organisations. An organisation that does not practice intra-mural democracy cannot be and ought not be expected to follow democratic principles especially when it is endowed (!) with the entire governmental prowess. Awami League (AL) did it. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gave it an extra dimension.
   No great improvement in the current political paradigm is in the offing until the party-structure becomes more democratic allowing the leadership to grow up from the bottom and not imposed from the top.
   Mohammad Zaman
   On e-mail

The problem itself poses to be acute. That is traffic congestion which kills millions of valuable working hours everyday of the city dwellers. This considerable amount of wasting valuable time tells upon the economy of the nation. Individual loss while getting stuck in the traffic jam is directly felt with severe disgust and annoyance. Under the surface of this feeling nation incurs much greater loss. To address it in its true perspective really entails gigantic approach. Only blaming the government and the traffic agencies just give complacency in the heart of the sufferers. To view it deeply indicates the involvement of all for its reasonable solution.
   As a bid to control the traffic congestion the authorities concerned have taken some steps such as building flyovers, building over-bridge in congested points, banning rickshaws in many important roads, increasing the number of buses in the rickshaw free roads, etc. In spite of taking these measures the traffic jam continues unabated. It has engulfed every nook and corner of the city affecting every city dweller. Of all the measures taken so far, banning rickshaws in some roads seems to be a short-cut solution to the traffic control authorities. Banning rickshaws invite some other problems for the common commuters. So we cannot appreciate total banning of rickshaws as the following causes appear to be reasonable and call for reconsideration.
   Poor income group dominates the city who usually uses rickshaws as common vehicles because of comparatively lesser fare. Public buses don’t have access to narrow roads and lanes. Rickshaw is preferred and more convenient shopping with heavy bags and going back home. Again, environmental pollution poses a big issue in the city. Rickshaws are environment-friendly vehicles. The number of other vehicles like CNGs and taxis are still far below than that of the demand. Even the rickshaws also register poor number than the demand. At around 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. you must compete to have a rickshaw. This reality can no way be ignored.
   Rickshaws only don’t cause traffic jam. The influx of population to city, reckless driving, ignorance of the passers-by about traffic rules, ignoring the rules deliberately by some passers-by, police sergeant’s taking toll halting the vehicles are also some of the main reasons for the unbearable traffic jam faced in the city.
   Without giving consideration to these issues, banning rickshaws only from some city roads cannot solve the traffic congestion problem. Realities must not be ignored rather realities need to be given consideration. Out of thirteen crore population about one crore has flocked to the city with the hope of earning their bread. Rickshawpulling has unfolded the opportunity of employment to this influx of migrants. Without this profession they might have engaged themselves in many un-social activities invoking social evils and unrest. These bread earners maintain two families-one in the slums of the city and another is in the village. Their unemployment will seriously affect their families and hence the society. This unskilled and semi-skilled people cannot afford to do other works. This situation must be taken into consideration.
   Before banning rickshaws, sufficient number of CNGs and taxis must be made available and affordable to all. In some Indian cities no rickshaws are found but CNGs/taxis are available and the fare is also reasonable. One can hire a CNG for fifteen or even ten rupees. If such situation is created in our country, rickshaw will automatically disappear from the cities. Rickshawpullers will then learn how to drive CNGs and the passengers will also prefer mechanised vehicles to the human hauler.
   More over-bridges must be constructed in all the busy intersections and the passengers must be made to use these bridges. I see Rampura bazaar experiences heavy traffic congestion every evening mainly due to the crossing of roads by the passers-by as there is no overbridge here. I fail to understand why the authorities concerned still don’t construct an overbridge at Rampura bazaar. The behaviour of the helpers, conductors and drivers must be regulated through law and law-enforcing agencies so that they don’t stop the buses/coasters in the middle of the roads to pick up and drop of the passengers.
   Banning of rickshaws only won’t ensure smooth traffic. Rickshaws may be allowed to ply on a specified portion of the roads. Then mechanised and non-mechanised vehicles will be available in most of the thoroughfares. Dhaka cantonment roads have both mechanised and non-mechanised vehicles plying without any traffic congestion. Why can’t we follow the example in other thoroughfares?
   Md Masum Billah
   Dhaka