Tangail Correspondent:
The number of unfit, battery- and motor-powered rickshaws in Tangail town is rising uncontrollably, creating severe traffic congestion and frequent road accidents. Traditional pedal rickshaws have become a rare sight in the town.
These fast-moving rickshaws lack proper braking systems, side mirrors, and signal lights. They are often driven by untrained individuals who turn abruptly without checking traffic, frequently causing collisions. Due to their lightweight structure, axle or fork failures are common, often resulting in injuries.
According to Tangail Municipality, around 6,000 rickshaw licenses were issued during a previous government. Though officially for pedal rickshaws, these licenses are being used for battery-powered vehicles — a clear violation of municipal regulations. In many cases, one owner holds multiple licenses and rents out rickshaws for profit.
Driver licenses are issued without formal testing — only verbal guidance is provided by municipal staff. This has led to widespread unskilled operation of these vehicles, increasing accident rates.
In 2020, the district administration sealed rickshaw manufacturing workshops to curb the problem. However, after written assurances, the workshops were allowed to reopen — and many resumed full operations shortly after.
Md. Abdur Razzak, former General Secretary of the Rickshaw and Easybike Workers’ Union, stated that about 8,000 workers are involved in this sector. Rickshaw garages rent out vehicles for Tk 400-450 per day. Many rickshaws are regular pedal vehicles modified with motors and batteries, making them dangerously fast without structural reinforcements.
A passenger, requesting anonymity, expressed concerns over rising crime. He claimed that criminals often disguise themselves as rickshaw drivers. Without proper identification systems, such incidents go unchecked. He suggested issuing visible ID cards to all licensed drivers.
Municipal Administrator Md. Shihab Raihan, also Deputy Director of Local Government in Tangail, said the licenses were issued before his tenure and that no new licenses have been granted recently.
