No law, no clarity

Questions remain over whether three-wheeled vehicles such as battery-powered rickshaws, vans and locally assembled vehicles, commonly known as Bhutbhuti, are legally permitted to use the side lanes of the country’s four-lane highways. Highway police officials themselves acknowledge that there is no clear policy or directive governing the issue.

The rapid growth of battery-powered vehicles and other unregistered three-wheelers has created uncertainty regarding their legal status. In the absence of specific regulations, thousands of such vehicles, including battery-powered rickshaws, vans, Nasimon, Karimon and Bhutbhuti, are regularly using the side lanes of four-lane highways across the country. Road safety experts and commuters say their presence has contributed to frequent accidents, some of them fatal.

In many cases, these vehicles also enter the main carriageways of highways to travel short distances or cross from one side to another, increasing risks for long-distance transport and other road users. Their growing presence on both side lanes and, at times, the main lanes of highways has become a matter of concern for commuters and transport operators alike.

In Sirajganj and Bogura districts, as in many other parts of the country, large numbers of unauthorised three-wheelers, including both CNG-run and battery-powered auto-rickshaws, vans and Bhutbhuti, are reportedly operating on highway side lanes. Local residents and transport stakeholders claim that the absence of clear government directives has allowed the practice to continue unchecked. Drivers of such vehicles are also alleged to use sections of the main highway, occasionally contributing to serious accidents.

Allegations have also emerged that some law enforcement personnel exploit the regulatory uncertainty by collecting money from operators of these vehicles. Sources familiar with the matter claim that the lack of a clear policy framework has created opportunities for irregular practices.

Among those facing allegations is Md Ismail Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station in Sirajganj. Sources allege that five police personnel from the station were transferred to the Bogura Highway Police Circle Office before Eid-ul-Azha following complaints of misconduct. However, no action has reportedly been taken against the OC.

According to the allegations, certain highway police personnel, including Sub-Inspector Arab Ali, have been involved in collecting money from operators of battery-powered rickshaws and vans in exchange for allowing them to use highway lanes. It is alleged that operators pay Tk50 per vehicle per day. Similar allegations have also been made regarding the collection of money from trucks transporting vegetables during night-time operations.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over the operation of unlicensed CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Sirajganj district. According to local sources, more than 40,000 CNG auto-rickshaws operate across the district’s nine upazilas. Of these, around 35,000 reportedly do not possess valid licences, while approximately 5,000 continue operating despite expired documentation.

It is estimated that nearly half of these vehicles use sections of the four-lane highway on a daily basis to transport passengers and goods. Local transport association leaders are alleged to collect monthly fees from both licensed and unlicensed operators in exchange for stickers that are treated as unofficial permits. Sources further allege that portions of these funds are distributed among various influential groups and individuals. These claims, however, could not be independently verified.

Responding to the issue, Amirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Jamuna Bridge West Police Station, said the legal status of battery-powered three-wheelers on highway side lanes remains unclear.

“The question is whether we should regard three-wheeled vehicles, particularly battery-powered ones, operating on the side lanes of four-lane highways as legal or illegal. We have not yet received any specific instructions regarding their operation on highways,” he said.

He noted that when existing highway regulations were formulated, four-lane highways and battery-powered vehicles were not as common as they are today.

“Road transport is evolving rapidly, with new vehicle types and new highway infrastructure being introduced every year. In such circumstances, updated laws, policies and operational guidelines are necessary,” he added.

Abu Torab Md Shamsur Rahman, Superintendent of Police of the Highway Police’s Bogura Circle, expressed a similar view.

“We do not have any specific instructions that clearly define whether these vehicles are permitted to operate on highways. However, we are concerned about the increasing number of unregistered three-wheelers using highway corridors. Given the public demand for local transport services, these vehicles are currently being allowed to use side lanes for carrying passengers and goods. Nevertheless, a clear policy framework is urgently required,” he said.

Abu Naim, Assistant Director of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) office in Sirajganj, said the agency’s role is limited to the registration of engine-powered vehicles.

“We provide registration for engine-driven vehicles. At present, we have no specific instructions regarding battery-powered vehicles,” he said.