The districts of Gulshan and Banani, home to embassies and international offices, inaugurate new bus and rickshaws dedicated exclusively to residents. The attack at Holy Artisan Bakery Cafe "shocked tourists and investors, who are now afraid. That's why we will do everything to reassure them".
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The municipal government of Dhaka this morning launched a new fleet of buses and rickshaws exclusively dedicated to foreigners living in the capital. After the attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe, which resulted in 20 deaths (17 foreigners, including nine Italian) and dozens injured, the local executive wants to reassure investors and tourists and therefore has decided to contribute to transportation to and from the embassy districts.
Mahdi Hassan, a banker, told AsiaNews that the terrorist acts in the Gulshan district convinced the police to stop the public transport: "But it was difficult to move around the capital. The inauguration of the new lines is a relief. " In total, there will be 20 air-conditioned buses and 500 rickshaws: these will be driven by 1,500 people already selected, to cover the entire day in with 8-hour shifts. The new vehicles are all yellow.
Inspector General of Police, Shahidul Hoque, participated this morning at the opening: "We are committed to ensuring the safety of all residents, including foreigners. We are working closely with the population to get the most. We know that many tourists and many investors are now afraid, and we will try to gradually ease their fears”.