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Dhaka, May 13, 2025 – The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced a crackdown on illegal battery-powered rickshaws, targeting their production workshops and charging points. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaj stated that, with assistance from the Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), authorities will close down these facilities to curb the operation of unauthorized rickshaws.
On Tuesday, a joint operation by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and DNCC was conducted in the Asadgate area of the capital to seize illegal battery-powered rickshaws. Speaking to the media during the drive, Ejaj emphasized that rickshaws will be prohibited from operating on Dhaka’s main roads and restricted to internal roads. “A survey revealed that 20% of accidents are caused by battery-powered rickshaws, with women and children being the most affected,” he said, citing their unregulated speed and lack of safety standards as major concerns.
To address road safety and public transport discipline, the government is taking measures with support from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Designs for safer battery-powered rickshaws have been developed, and a few companies have been authorized to manufacture them. Ejaj added that DNCC will arrange training for rickshaw drivers this month. Only those who complete the training will receive valid licenses and be allowed to operate approved rickshaws in designated city areas. Rickshaws licensed for one area will not be permitted to operate in others, and fares will be fixed to reduce passenger inconvenience.
The DNCC administrator further noted that only one rickshaw license will be issued per national ID card to eliminate the commercial exploitation of rickshaws. During Tuesday’s operation, 30 battery-powered rickshaws operating on main roads were seized.
The operation was attended by DNCC Region-5 Regional Executive Officer ANM Badruddoza, Traffic Engineering Circle’s Supervising Engineer Khandaker Mahbub Alam, and several DMP and DNCC officials.
AI/MR
