The High Court has ordered the authorities concerned to stop operation of battery-run rickshaws on the streets in the capital within three working days to reduce road accidents.
The court also issued a rule, asking the authorities to explain why their failure to halt the operation of battery-run rickshaws on city roads should not be declared illegal.
The directive came from a High Court bench led by Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Mahmudur Razi after hearing of a writ petition on Tuesday.
Greater Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Owners Unity Alliance President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali filed the petition challenging the authorities’ inaction to stop operation of the unlicensed battery-run rickshaws.
Advocates HM Sanjid Siddiqui and Tahsina Mridu represented the petitioners during the hearing.
There is around 12 lakh rickshaws in the capital and nearly 8 lakh of them are battery-powered.
Though battery-run vehicles are not allowed on major roads, their presence continues to grow in the city, creating challenges for urban traffic management.
Many traditional pedal rickshaws have been modified with batteries, making them motorised and increasing their presence on the city’s streets. Sources at Bangladesh
Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said battery-run rickshaws, vans, and three-wheelers have been worsening the road safety situation in the capital.
On May 15, former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader ordered a crackdown on these vehicles, triggering widespread protests by rickshaw pullers.
Five days later, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allowed battery-operated rickshaws to operate off major roads.
However, these restrictions were soon ignored, with rickshaws flooding main thoroughfares.
The situation worsened after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. According to the Dhaka Auto-Rickshaw Workers’ Union, 8 lakh auto-rickshaws operate on the streets.
To control the situation, police took action against 50,000 rickshaws in September and 66,000 in October, confiscating their batteries, which were auctioned off.
Despite these efforts, battery-operated rickshaws continue to dominate Dhaka’s streets, particularly in neighbourhoods like Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Bosila, Uttara, Bhatara, Dakshinkhan, Uttar Khan, Moynartek, Mirpur, and Pallabi. These vehicles often stray onto major roads, despite regulations.
The widespread use of battery-powered rickshaws has increased road accidents, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
