Md. Tanzim Hossain, Chattogram City

The number of unauthorized battery-powered rickshaws continues to surge across Chattogram, further complicating the city’s already strained traffic situation. It’s estimated that around 50,000 battery rickshaws now operate in the city, most of which lack registration. As a result, the traffic department faces challenges in taking legal action against these vehicles.

According to the traffic division, although hundreds of battery rickshaws are seized daily, limited space in the dumping yards allows them to be held for only 10 days before they are released back onto the streets. Traffic Deputy Commissioner Zainul Abedin stated that without raids on charging points, garages, and the destruction of impounded rickshaws, it will be difficult to resolve this ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, despite the Bangladesh Road Transport Act of 2018 criminalizing the operation of battery-powered rickshaws, the lack of effective enforcement has led to their unchecked growth across various areas of the city.

Mozammel Haque, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association, noted that while impounded battery rickshaws are auctioned off as scrap in Dhaka, Chattogram’s practice of releasing seized rickshaws hints at possible commercial interests.

Despite multiple efforts by the city corporation and traffic division, battery rickshaws continue to operate freely on major roads and alleys across Chattogram. Responding to public demand, experts have suggested allowing limited numbers of battery rickshaws on connector roads under controlled conditions.