No more rickshaws on Dhaka’s main roads: Azaz
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Azaz has announced that rickshaws will no longer be permitted on the capital’s main roads. However, they will still be allowed to operate on internal roads.
The announcement came during a joint eviction drive by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and DNCC against illegal battery-powered rickshaws in the Asad Gate area on Tuesday (May 13).
Around 30 unauthorised battery-powered rickshaws operating on main roads were seized during the operation.
Mohammad Azaz said the government is cracking down on illegal rickshaw operations and, with assistance from DESCO, will shut down unauthorised charging stations and manufacturing workshops.
Citing a study, the DNCC Administrator noted that battery-powered rickshaws are responsible for around 20 per cent of road accidents in the city, disproportionately affecting women and children.
“These rickshaws were introduced without any regulatory oversight or concern for passenger safety. Many accidents occur due to their uncontrolled speed, and pedestrians are often at risk,” he said.
To improve public safety and restore order in the transport system, the government has taken steps to regulate the use of battery-powered rickshaws.
In collaboration with BUET, a few companies have been authorised to design and manufacture safe, policy-compliant electric rickshaws.
Mohammad Azaz further announced that DNCC will begin training rickshaw drivers this month. Only those who successfully complete the training will be issued valid licenses and allowed to operate approved rickshaws within designated city zones.
Rickshaws licensed in one area will not be permitted to operate in another, and fares will be standardised to minimise passenger exploitation.
Licences will be issued based on national identity cards, and the illegal trade in operating rickshaws will be brought to an end, he added.
Other officials present during the drive included DNCC Region-5 Regional Executive Officer A N M Badruddoza, Traffic Engineering Circle Superintendent Engineer Khandaker Mahbub Alam, as well as officials from the DMP and DNCC Region-5.
