Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) relaxed restrictions on rickshaws on Tongi Diversion Road yesterday after Falu, former personal secretary to the prime minister, opened it amidst much fanfare yesterday.

"I am keeping my promise to make the road open to rickshaws," the BNP candidate told Karwan Bazar businessmen with whom he held a meeting on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Traffic (North) Ansar Ali Pathan, however, said the restriction was relaxed to 'test traffic movements' in the area and any reports of orders coming from Falu are 'utterly false'.

He said rickshaws and rickshaw-vans will now be allowed to ply the Tongi Diversion Road from 10:00am to 3:00pm and from 8:00pm onwards.

However, Inspector of DC north office Kazi Akter Hossain said the ban on rickshaws plying the Tongi Diversion Road was withdrawn according to directions from 'higher authorities'.

Another official from the same office said: "You have to make different promises when you are contesting an election. Maybe the candidate wanted to secure the vote bank of rickshawpullers and traders in Karwan Bazar."

Falu could not be contacted for comments despite several attempts.