Most patients admitted to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays was injured in accidents involving battery-powered rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
Hospital records show that 36.84 percent of all admitted patients were injured in such accidents.
The data, derived from NITOR’s patient registration logs, was analyzed by experts who expressed concern over the lack of regulations and effective monitoring that continue to deteriorate the situation.
According to figures obtained by the analysts, a total of 2,056 people sought treatment at NITOR during the 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday.
Of these, 646 patients were admitted. Among them, 238 (36.84%) had sustained injuries in accidents involving battery-powered and CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
Additionally, 157 patients (24.30%) were injured in crashes involving four-wheeled vehicles such as buses, microbuses, trucks, and covered vans. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 127 patients (19.65%).
A separate analysis of patients who sought treatment at two hospitals in Dhaka and eight others in divisional cities outside the capital during the four-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday (March 30 to April 2) revealed a different pattern of injuries.
During that period, 32.27 percent of patients were injured in motorcycle accidents, 32.10 percent in auto-rickshaw incidents, and 10.11 percent in accidents involving four-wheeled vehicles.
For 25.50 percent of injured patients, however, the cause of the accident was not documented in the hospital’s registration book.
According to the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB), motorcycles topped the list of accident-related injuries this Eid. A total of 147 people were killed in 134 motorcycle accidents, accounting for 35.35 percent of all reported accidents.
Among the fatalities, 61 were drivers, 50 transport workers, 58 pedestrians, 40 women, and 30 children. However, the organization did not separately record data on battery-powered rickshaw accidents.
PWAB Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said that nine major causes have been identified for this year’s accidents during Eid vacations. These include the widespread use of motorcycles and battery-powered rickshaws on highways.
He added that proposed measures include stopping the import of such vehicles and constructing dedicated service lanes along highways.
During a visit to NITOR, the reporter saw patients and their families were gathered at the emergency unit.
Injured individuals were seen waiting in wheelchairs, lying on beds, or resting with limbs suspended by towels from stair railings, balconies, and ward corners.
Rubel Mia, a 22-year-old patient, said he was severely injured after falling from a battery-powered rickshaw on the Rajshahi highway while traveling to his sister’s house on Eid day.
Another patient, Rafiqul Islam, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver from Munshiganj, recounted, “On the morning of June 10, I was driving my auto-rickshaw with three passengers on the highway when a truck rammed into us. Two passengers and I had a leg injuries while the other passenger is sustaining a head injury.”
“We are doing our utmost to ensure medical care for the injured,” said NITOR Director Prof. Dr. Md. Abul Kenan, adding that a team of 15 doctors is currently operating the emergency and outpatient departments.
According to hospital sources, the emergency department receives between 350 to 400 patients daily, with around 60 percent being victims of road accidents. Most of these cases involve auto-rickshaw-related injuries. Other common causes include falls from buildings, burn injuries, industrial accidents, and severe bone trauma.
Dr. Kenan expressed concern over the alarming rise in injuries caused by battery-powered rickshaw accidents. “Many victims are left paralyzed or require long-term treatment,” he said.
Of the 646 patients admitted during the Eid holidays, 508 underwent multiple surgeries, and 151 are still receiving treatment. Several patients have lost limbs as a result of their injuries.
He emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms to regulate battery-powered rickshaws. “Passing a law or carrying out occasional drives is not enough,” he said. “A lasting solution requires coordinated efforts from the City Corporation, BRTA, and the Traffic Department.”
BUET Prof. Md. Hadiuzzaman echoed these concerns. “Battery-powered rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws are now the primary causes of road chaos,” he warned. “Unless these vehicles are brought under strict control, the accident rate will only continue to rise.”
Courtesy: Daily Kaler Kantho
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
