Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday informed Parliament that the government is formulating a specific policy to bring an estimated 50-80 lakh electric three-wheelers, including battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes, under a disciplined and regulated system.
He made the statement while responding to a notice placed by BNP lawmaker Rahana Akter Ranu (Women Seat-4) under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure, seeking necessary measures to control the unregulated movement of battery-run rickshaws.
The minister said battery-run rickshaws, easy bikes and similar electric three-wheelers have become an important part of the urban and rural transport system over the past decade due to their relatively low fares, easy availability and convenience for short-distance travel.
The sector has also created a large informal economic and employment network involving drivers, owners, garage owners and workers, battery and spare-parts traders, charging service providers and small entrepreneurs, he said.
However, the rapid and largely unregulated expansion of the sector has created major challenges in electricity management, road safety, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, public health and institutional regulation, Salahuddin said.
He said the charging of a huge number of vehicles at the same time is putting additional pressure on the power distribution system.
The minister also highlighted health and environmental risks associated with the unsafe handling and informal recycling of lead-acid batteries used in many of the vehicles.
He said the estimated 50-80 lakh electric three-wheelers consume around 5 percent of the country’s total electricity, while the figure could be even higher.
Against this huge demand, there are only around 3,300 legal charging points in the country, the minister said, adding that more than 48,000 informal or illegal charging points are in Dhaka alone. “As a result, the government is losing around Tk 4,000 crore in revenue annually due to unauthorised electricity use.”
He said unregistered vehicles, untrained drivers, faulty designs, weak braking and lighting systems, speeding and the movement of slow-moving vehicles on highways are increasing the risk of road accidents.
According to statistics cited by Salahuddin, 6,729 road accidents occurred in 2025, killing 911 people and injuring 14,812 others. Battery-run rickshaws accounted for 13.54 percent of the vehicles involved in those accidents.
He said the movement of unauthorised battery-run rickshaws has already been prohibited on major roads in the capital.
The minister said joint operations are also being conducted by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) against rickshaw garages using illegal electricity connections.
The illegal connections are being disconnected, and legal action is being taken against those involved, he said.
Salahuddin said the government has taken steps to formulate a specific policy to bring auto-rickshaws under a disciplined and regulated system.
“If the policy is formulated and implemented, it will be possible to bring auto-rickshaws under a licensing system by providing number plates for approved and valid auto-rickshaws, tracing registration of drivers through QR codes and providing training to drivers in phases,” he said.
The minister said the government will provide registration to auto-rickshaws, determine routes, control drivers and their movement, traffic management and law enforcement in line with the possible guidelines.
He said the measures will help reduce traffic congestion in the capital, establish road discipline and ensure road safety.
Salahuddin also said 50 AI-based cameras are currently operational at 17 traffic signals in the capital to modernise vehicle control and traffic management.
The cameras have produced positive results in controlling the movement of auto-rickshaws and other vehicles, he said, adding that work is underway to install another 200 AI-based cameras in the traffic divisions of Ramna and Tejgaon.
More AI-based cameras will gradually be installed at other important roads and intersections in Dhaka, the minister said.
In her notice, Ranu said some discipline has gradually returned to the capital’s roads, particularly after AI-based traffic cameras were installed in several areas.
She said violations such as running red lights, changing lanes improperly and exceeding speed limits have declined, but battery-run rickshaws are still operating recklessly without following rules.
As these vehicles often do not have number plates, AI cameras can identify them, but fines cannot be imposed, the female MP said.
“There is no alternative to controlling these reckless vehicles. Strict steps should be taken to remove these rickshaws from the main roads at least. At the same time, I think it is important to remove the defects in auto-rickshaws' design and add number plates, train drivers and issue licenses, and bring everything under specific rules,” she said.
Later, Ranu said the government should control rather than completely ban the movement of battery-run rickshaws, as the livelihoods of a large number of people are linked to the sector.
“Seizing and dumping their vehicles and harassing them by police without an alternative plan for their livelihoods is not right,” she said.
In reply, Salahuddin said the government will also make the use of safer, environment-friendly batteries a condition under the proposed system and introduce digital tracking linked to registration numbers.
He said illegal charging stations using electricity connections from electric poles are causing revenue losses and involve corruption.
The minister alleged that some officials of the power division and city corporations are also involved in the illegal charging activities, alongside those operating and using the facilities.
“We will keep all aspects in consideration so that unemployment does not increase, employment is not disrupted, the environment is protected, vehicles remain disciplined, and traffic management is improved,” he said.