The government has taken a new initiative to control the uncontrolled movement of battery-powered rickshaws on the capital’s roads.
Under a proposed new policy, the entire city of Dhaka is planned to be divided into eight designated zones for operating these rickshaws. Different colors will be assigned to rickshaws in different zones, and a digital registration system featuring QR codes on each vehicle is also being introduced.
Under the new system, a rickshaw authorized for one zone will not be allowed to enter another zone. This will not only help control rickshaw movement outside designated areas but will also make it easier to identify unauthorized vehicles.
At the same time, there are plans to introduce solar-powered charging stations for battery charging in order to reduce pressure on electricity from the national grid.
For a long time, there have been complaints about the reckless movement of battery-powered rickshaws, from major roads to narrow lanes throughout the capital.
Many drivers lack adequate knowledge of traffic laws and do not possess valid licenses, making these vehicles one of the causes of accidents and traffic congestion.
There have also been allegations that batteries are being charged at various illegal garages using electricity from the national grid.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Local Government and the two city corporations have taken an initiative to introduce zone-based management.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said that battery-powered rickshaws would not be completely banned but would instead be brought under regulation.
If the city is divided into eight zones, no area will be allowed to have more rickshaws than its designated capacity. At the same time, charging rickshaws using electricity from residential or commercial connections will be strictly prohibited. Instead, arrangements will be made to charge the rickshaws at solar-powered charging stations.
He said, “We do not want to destroy the livelihoods of the drivers. However, there will be no compromise when it comes to road safety and discipline. With separate colors and QR-based registration for each zone, unauthorized and out-of-zone rickshaws can be easily identified.”
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator and Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam said that area-based surveys and the process of determining zones have already begun in the southern city area.
The two city corporations are jointly finalizing the process of dividing the entire city of Dhaka into eight zones.
He said that rickshaws in each zone would have a designated color. If a rickshaw from one area enters another zone, action would be taken through digital tracking and with the assistance of traffic police.
Abdus Salam further said that the registration process would be fully digitalized. Each rickshaw would have a permanent QR code.
Scanning the code would provide information about the driver and owner. This could help reduce rickshaw theft and criminal activities.
He also said that discussions are underway with private entrepreneurs to establish solar charging hubs.
Urban planners have welcomed the government’s initiative but believe there are several challenges in implementing it. According to them, battery-powered rickshaws should be restricted to secondary and inner-city roads rather than major roads, and regular monitoring must be ensured at zone boundaries.
At the same time, sufficient solar charging stations need to be established quickly.
Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary-general of the Passengers’ Welfare Association, said that regulations for the operation of battery-powered autorickshaws and small vehicles should be formulated as an urgent priority.
If these vehicles are registered through city corporations, municipalities, and upazila councils, and drivers are issued licenses for a nominal fee, the government could generate substantial annual revenue. At the same time, discipline could be restored on the roads.
