A Silent Killer Creating a New Crisis in Road Management

Battery-run rickshaws are now dominating not only the narrow lanes of Dhaka but also the city’s main roads. An estimated 1–1.2 million battery-run rickshaws operate across the capital without valid registration or route permits. Besides worsening traffic congestion, these battery-powered vehicles are also placing additional pressure on the country’s electricity system.

The uncontrolled movement of thousands of unauthorised auto-rickshaws across the capital is not only increasing congestion but also significantly raising the risk of road accidents. Violating traffic signals, driving against traffic, stopping anywhere to pick up or drop off passengers and failing to follow designated lanes have created a new crisis in the city’s road management.

Although a culture of following traffic signals has gradually developed in the capital, many auto-rickshaw drivers continue to ignore the rules. At important intersections, they are often seen moving forward despite red lights. In many cases, they attempt to cross roads even after the signal turns red. This increases pressure at intersections and creates long traffic jams. Sudden stops to pick up passengers or waiting in the middle of the road also obstruct the movement of other vehicles.

According to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), around six million auto-rickshaws currently operate on the country’s roads. Estimates suggest that charging and operating these vehicles requires 750–800 megawatts of electricity every day—nearly five per cent of the national electricity supply. In financial terms, this amounts to around Tk 5,000 crore a day.

The number of accidents involving battery-run auto-rickshaws has also increased significantly. The risk is particularly high at intersections, connecting roads and entry points to major roads. According to data from various agencies, battery-run rickshaws are responsible for around 15 per cent of all road accidents. During the one-and-a-half-year tenure of the interim government, the movement of these vehicles became largely uncontrolled.

Just a decade ago, pedal-powered rickshaws were one of Dhaka’s most common and relatively safe modes of transport. People could travel by rickshaw with confidence, while their presence on major roads was not excessive. That picture has changed rapidly. Today, electric three-wheelers and battery-run rickshaws have captured a major share of urban transport.

Battery-run rickshaws have now become a major challenge for traffic police. Their movement frequently creates serious difficulties in enforcing traffic rules. These vehicles often travel in the wrong direction or ignore road regulations, making them extremely difficult to control.

The unplanned movement of battery-run rickshaws is increasingly disrupting everyday life. Around 73 per cent of their garages have reportedly been built on government land. Some 27 per cent of the vehicles were purchased with loans from NGOs and cooperative societies. Although drivers earn an average of Tk 1,000–1,500 a day, around 40 per cent earn less than Tk 500 in net income after paying vehicle rent, accommodation, food and other expenses. One-fourth of the drivers are reportedly in debt, while 11 per cent are unable to repay their loans.
Around 67 per cent of garages charge batteries using residential electricity meters, while 16 per cent reportedly use risky connections from nearby power lines. This is placing additional pressure on the electricity sector.

Two types of batteries are mainly used in these rickshaws—lead-acid batteries, accounting for 77 per cent, and lithium-ion batteries, accounting for 23 per cent. Although lead-acid batteries have a lifespan of six to 12 months, their efficiency begins to decline after around five months. Nearly 23 per cent of damaged batteries are reportedly discarded indiscriminately, creating risks to the environment and public health.

The risks of accidents involving battery-run rickshaws are also considerably higher than those involving many other vehicles. Major problems caused by battery-run rickshaws—

• Road safety is being seriously undermined: Violations of traffic laws, driving against traffic and reckless driving are increasing the risk of accidents.
• Severe traffic congestion is being created: Uncontrolled movement on major roads and at intersections is slowing down the entire urban transport system.
• The national electricity system is facing additional pressure: Unregulated battery charging is creating unnecessary loads on the power grid, while illegal connections are also being used in many cases.
• The environment and public health are under threat: Low-quality lead-acid batteries and poor waste management are increasing the risk of lead and other forms of pollution.
• Labour shortages are emerging in agriculture and productive sectors: Attracted by the prospect of easy income, many workers are leaving agriculture and other productive sectors to enter this profession.
• Illegal economic networks and disorder are growing: Unregistered vehicles, illegal garages, extortion and other irregularities are creating opportunities for organised malpractice.

Seven additional negative impacts on the economy and social life—

• Productive working hours are being lost: Long traffic jams waste the valuable working hours of millions of people every day, reducing overall economic productivity.
• The national economy is suffering indirect losses: Time wastage, additional fuel consumption, business delays and slower supply chains are causing significant indirect economic losses.
• People are walking less: Growing dependence on battery-powered vehicles, even for short distances, is reducing daily physical activity.
• The risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases is increasing: Particularly among people who spend most of the day at desks, reduced walking and physical activity may increase the risks of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Family and social life are being negatively affected: The additional time spent commuting is reducing the time available for family, rest and social engagement.

Battery-run rickshaws and easy-bikes are also reducing the number of workers available in the agriculture sector. Rice remains unharvested in the fields because farmers often struggle to find enough workers. As the number of battery-run rickshaws and easy-bikes continues to rise every day, it is time to seriously consider what the future holds and take the right decisions.

If action is not taken now, Bangladesh could face enormous difficulties in the future. The destructive expansion of battery-run rickshaws and easy-bikes must be addressed. Environmentally friendly pedal-powered rickshaws should be protected. Although some may consider them inhumane, pedal-powered rickshaws in a labour-intensive country like Bangladesh provide employment to many people, protect the environment from lead pollution and help protect society from the silent threat posed by battery-run vehicles.

Many battery-run rickshaw drivers purchase their vehicles with loans or borrowed money. Once the vehicles are put on the roads, many drivers also have to rely on informal arrangements to continue operating. This creates serious disorder and lawlessness.

To ensure road safety and maintain traffic discipline, the mismanagement of this sector must be addressed. The government must take effective measures. Battery charging through illegal electricity connections is placing additional pressure on the national grid. This sector requires proper regulation and the effective enforcement of clear policies.

The uncontrolled expansion of these vehicles is creating severe disorder and traffic congestion on the roads. Although battery-run rickshaws are slow-moving vehicles, reckless driving has become a major cause of serious accidents.

It is time to act now to prevent the chaos created by the unrestricted movement of these vehicles on the main roads and narrow lanes of Dhaka.

The writer is a market analyst and financial management consultant, and Managing Director of Gold Bell Group.