Dhaka moves to tame e-rickshaw menace
Battery-powered rickshaws have become an increasingly visible source of congestion, accidents and public inconvenience in Dhaka, with their rapid growth raising concerns over road safety and the city’s already strained transport network.
Authorities are now moving to bring the vehicles under a tighter regulatory framework, including restrictions on charging, registration, manufacturing and movement.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Monday that a separate regulation was being drafted to govern battery-run e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws.
Under the proposed rules, vehicles charged using any source other than solar power could face fines, while registration and renewal could be refused if operators continue the practice.
Dhaka will also be divided into eight zones for e-rickshaw operations, with four zones under Dhaka South City Corporation and four under Dhaka North City Corporation.
Vehicles operating in the eight zones will be assigned different colours, while geo-fencing technology will be introduced to prevent them from crossing into other zones.
Mir Shahe Alam disclosed the plans at a review meeting on the use of solar power in offices and institutions under the Local Government Division and the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division at the Secretariat.
He said a law governing e-rickshaws had already been passed by Parliament and regulations were being prepared accordingly.
The vehicles will be brought under the jurisdiction of city corporations and municipalities, which will issue registrations and ensure that charging is carried out using solar power.
The regulations will also determine registration and renewal fees and other operating conditions.
Arrangements are being made for e-rickshaws to obtain fitness certificates, he said.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in battery-powered rickshaws on Dhaka’s streets since 5 August last year.
The vehicles have spread through lanes, alleyways and even parts of major roads, often operating with limited monitoring and without a central registration or licensing system.
Urban planners and transport experts warn that although e-rickshaws provide affordable transport and employment for thousands of low-income people, uncontrolled growth could further disrupt the capital’s traffic system.
Many vehicles are assembled with inadequate braking systems and can travel at unsafe speeds.
Traffic police officers say drivers frequently ignore signals and cross intersections at high speed, contributing to congestion and accidents.
The exact number of battery-powered rickshaws operating in Dhaka is unknown.
Leaders of two auto-rickshaw associations estimate that nearly five lakh are operating under 50 police stations in the capital, already exceeding the number of traditional pedal rickshaws.
Many drivers have little experience operating motorised vehicles, while reckless driving has contributed to both minor and fatal crashes.
According to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, battery-powered rickshaws were involved in about 15 per cent of the 315 road accidents recorded in Dhaka during the Eid rush from 24 March to 7 April.
Tightening manufacturing and charging rules
Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam recently said the government was considering designated factories to manufacture approved models of battery-powered and motorised rickshaws, restricting unauthorised production.
Speaking after inaugurating an automated traffic signal system on a trial basis at Shahbagh intersection, Salam said an inter-ministerial meeting had discussed regulations covering manufacturing, charging and parking.
Under the proposed framework, specific models, designs and technical standards would be developed with assistance from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). Manufacturers would require official approval to produce the vehicles.
The number allowed to operate in Dhaka would be determined in coordination with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Salam said.
The government also plans to gradually shift battery-powered rickshaws to electric systems within a specified timeframe, while expanding solar charging to reduce pressure on the national electricity grid.
With e-rickshaws now deeply embedded in Dhaka’s transport system, authorities face the challenge of balancing affordable mobility and livelihoods with the urgent need to improve road safety, reduce congestion and protect the public.
