Unauthorised battery-powered rickshaws have flooded the streets of Dhaka, moving unchecked across flyovers, major roads and narrow lanes.With no effective regulation or monitoring, these vehicles have created a state of disorder on the roads, worsening traffic congestion and increasing accident risks.Although the exact figure is uncertain, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) estimates that there are more than 60 lakh battery-powered rickshaws across the country, with 10 to 12 lakh of them operating in the capital alone.A survey conducted by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) revealed that 20 percent of road accidents in its jurisdiction are caused by these vehicles, with women and children being the worst affected.
Built without following safety standards, these rickshaws frequently mount pavements and are often involved in collisions due to their uncontrolled speed.Local residents and commuters are increasingly alarmed.
Mehdi Hasan of Malibagh said, “Auto-rickshaws should be banned at any cost. Each auto-rickshaw is practically an accident machine. Visit the orthopaedic hospital and others to see the damage.”
Md Rakib echoed the frustration, pointing to the influence of vested groups, “The administration cannot even touch the rickshaw syndicate. They routinely confiscate 10–15 rickshaws but do nothing meaningful. The government must take strict, decisive action.”
Private car driver Suman added that the problem has become unbearable for motorists. “The numbers have become so overwhelming that even driving at a normal speed is difficult. These drivers lack any basic knowledge of road safety and drive recklessly, making it hard for private car drivers like us to navigate," he said.
From the law enforcement side, Anisur Rahman, a police sergeant, admitted the challenge, “For every 100 battery rickshaws we confiscate, 500 more hit the streets. It’s time to shut down the workshops and stop importing parts altogether.”
A visit to different areas of the capital shows how deeply entrenched the industry has become.
Hundreds of small and large workshops in Mohammadpur, Bosila, Keraniganj, Beribadh, Old Dhaka, Jatrabari, Mugda, Manda and Mirpur are manufacturing battery-run rickshaws daily.Attempts by past governments to restrict their operation largely failed. Authorities are now trying to ban them from VIP roads, though with little success.
Booming Business
Battery-run rickshaws, or e-rickshaws, first appeared in Bangladesh in the late 2000s, when local innovators began retrofitting traditional cycle rickshaws with imported Chinese electric motors and lead-acid batteries.
Today, the industry is estimated at USD 871 million (2022), comprising 3 to 4 million vehicles that transport over 112 million people every day.
According to Professor Mohammed Ehsan of the Mechanical Engineering Department at BUET, profitability is the key driver behind their rapid growth.
“Compared to other businesses, the return on investment is huge. Owners earn at least Tk 500 a day by investing Tk 70,000 without ensuring any quality. The government must intervene to regulate quality and control their spread,” he said.Garage owners are reaping the benefits. Khokon Mia, who runs a garage in Dhaka, explained:
“I earn around Tk 200,000 a month from this business but I spend half of it on paying off police, local gangs, and thieves to keep operations running smoothly. This is an open secret. Everyone wants to invest in this business because of the quick profits.”
Corporation Initiative Yet to Take Off
In June, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz announced that newly designed battery-run e-rickshaws, developed by BUET, would be introduced on Dhaka’s streets by August. However, the initiative has yet to materialise.
According to the plan, the new vehicles will be launched in two zones on a trial basis. They will receive five-year licences with annual fitness checks, while monthly road permit fees will also be collected.
Drivers will be trained on road safety and vehicle handling, with a target to train 100,000 drivers. Importantly, these rickshaws will not be allowed on the city’s main roads.
Government Move
Beyond city-level initiatives, the government has prepared a draft policy to rein in the use of unregistered battery-operated three-wheelers – widely known as electric auto-rickshaws or easy bikes – across the country.The proposed Electric Three-Wheeler Management Policy 2025, developed by the Road Transport and Highways Division under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, sets out strict requirements.
All vehicles must be registered with BRTA and drivers will be required to hold valid driving licences. Parts including motors, controllers, gearboxes, axles, wheels, brakes, headlights, shock absorbers, batteries and chargers must carry BSTI approval.
Manufacturers and assemblers will also need to be registered with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Besides, only new vehicles and BSTI-approved parts may be imported, while charging stations must comply with guidelines issued by the Power Division in 2021.