DIU launches autorickshaw survey and tracking initiative

Daffodil International University (DIU) has launched a research-based survey and tracking initiative for autorickshaws operating around its campus to improve transport management, passenger safety and fare fairness.

The initiative is being implemented in coordination with local autorickshaw owners to protect the interests of passengers, owners and drivers while bringing greater discipline and accountability to local transport services.

The programme was inaugurated on November 12 at 10:00 AM on the university campus under the initiative of its Department of Security and Safety Management (SSM), as part of the university's corporate social responsibility activities.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Professor Dr Syed Mizanur Rahman, professor and associate dean of the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship; Proctor Professor Dr Sheikh Muhammad Allaiar; Professor Dr Bimal Chandra Das, dean of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Deputy Registrar Md Ishaq Mizi.

Officials from different university departments and representatives of local autorickshaw owners were also present. The programme was conducted by Major (retd) Md Shah Alam, director of the Department of Security and Safety Management.

The university said a coordinated, data-based system was needed to manage the large number of autorickshaws operating on and around the campus and protect the interests of everyone involved.

Under the initiative, information about autorickshaw owners and drivers will be recorded to help identify vehicles and facilitate quick communication when necessary. The system is also expected to improve passenger safety, support fair fares and strengthen accountability in local transport services.

Welcoming the initiative, representatives of local autorickshaw owners described it as timely. They said the registration system would benefit students, passengers, owners and drivers by making it easier to seek assistance in the event of an accident or other unexpected incident.

They added that confirming vehicle identities and ownership would improve the professional security of drivers and owners while strengthening passengers' confidence in the service.

The survey and tracking programme is being funded entirely by the university and is free of charge. DIU has initially set a target of registering 2,500 autorickshaws. Around 200 vehicles have already been registered, while the remaining registrations are under way.

As part of the programme, information including owners' names, national identity card numbers, mobile phone numbers and permanent addresses is being collected and stored in a central digital database.

Each registered autorickshaw is also being assigned a unique five-digit identification number, displayed visibly on the back of the vehicle. The number will help authorities quickly identify the vehicle and its owner if it is involved in an accident, traffic law violation, passenger harassment or criminal activity.

The university is also integrating the registration and identification system with its existing surveillance network. Internal roads in Daffodil Smart City are covered by CCTV cameras, which are expected to support vehicle identification and security monitoring.

DIU authorities hope the initiative will strengthen cooperation between the university and the local community while making transport safer and more accountable. The programme aims to improve students' daily journeys, protect the interests of autorickshaw owners and drivers, and promote fair fares and orderly transport services.

sks