In a statement, Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association Secretary-General Mojammel Haque Chowdhury alleged that the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had succumbed to the demands of CNG rickshaw drivers, who staged rampage across the capital demanding meter-based fare implementation. The BRTA canceled orders to file cases against rickshaws overcharging passengers and allowed the drivers to control the situation. The statement also accused the BRTA, under the leadership of Obaidul Quader, of building a massive syndicate that led to a corruption scandal worth 1,200 crore taka, inflating CNG prices from 3 lakh to 30-35 lakh taka. These drivers are allegedly fueling protests, the association claimed.