Green activists yesterday demanded that the government ban the CNG-run auto-rickshaws and other motor vehicles whose economic lives will expire by this year.

They said the vehicles will be very harmful for the environment and public health and risky for causing accidents.

Speaking at a press conference, they also called for bringing new vehicles equipped with new engines, bodies and accessories.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) organised the conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

About 26,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws have been operated in Dhaka and Chittagong since 2002 with nine years of economic lives, but those are still plying following the owners' demand, said Bapa General Secretary Abdul Matin.

“Instead of withdrawing the auto-rickshaws, the owners are now demanding that the government allow operations of the vehicles for six more years,” he said.

If the vehicles are not banned and withdrawn after the deadline, the environment and people in the cities will have to face grave danger, he added.

Writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the entire transportation system of Dhaka city must be reorganised and should be brought under a system.

Prof M Moazzem Hossain, another vice-president of Bapa, said the government, bodies concerned and the people involved in the issue have to work together to bring a change to this sector.

“We have to keep the environment free from pollution to provide our next generation a liveable city,” he said.