Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Ejaz has announced that no rickshaws will be allowed on the main streets of the capital city, Dhaka.
He stated that rickshaws would only operate on internal roads and a crackdown is underway against illegal battery-powered rickshaws, said the DNCC administrator.
With support from the DESCO, charging points and workshops for manufacturing these rickshaws will be shut down.
Ejaz came up with the remarks during an operation to stop illegal battery-powered rickshaws at Asad Gate in the capital on Tuesday.
The eviction drive was jointly conducted by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). During the operation, about 30 battery-powered rickshaws running on the main roads were seized.
DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz said that a survey found that 20% of accidents are caused by these battery-powered rickshaws, with women and children being the most affected.
He added that these rickshaws are not designed with proper regulations or passenger safety in mind. Often, they are seen climbing onto sidewalks and causing frequent accidents due to uncontrolled speed.
He further stated that the government is taking steps to prevent accidents and restore order to public transport on the roads. With the help of BUET, a design for safe battery-powered rickshaws has already been created, and several companies have been permitted to manufacture them.
He added that the DNCC will arrange training for rickshaw drivers within this month. Only those who pass the training will receive valid licenses, and they will be allowed to operate rickshaws manufactured by approved companies in designated areas of the city.
Legal rickshaws from one area will not be allowed to operate in another. Additionally, fares will be fixed to reduce passenger inconvenience.