decision to ban battery-powered rickshaws on Dhaka's main roads!

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has decided to completely ban the movement of battery-powered rickshaws (e-rickshaws) on Dhaka's main roads. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz made the announcement at a meeting held at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan on Tuesday (April 29).

"No battery-powered rickshaws will ply on Dhaka's main roads. However, approved standard model e-rickshaws will be allowed to ply on internal roads of the city," the administrator said.

The meeting, titled 'Updated progress on the construction of standard models and prototypes of battery-powered rickshaws and future steps', informed that a high-level committee will be formed soon to draft the e-rickshaw movement policy.

In the meeting, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) BEPRC presented a proposal for type-approval and registration of a new standardized three-wheeled low-speed e-rickshaw under its Easy Bike project. For this purpose, manufacturers have been invited to prepare prototypes.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Abu Sayeed Md. Kamruzzaman, Chief Engineer Brigadier General Md. Moin Uddin, General Manager of Transport Department Abdullah Al Masud and representatives of the concerned rickshaw manufacturers were also present in the meeting.

This step by DNCC is being seen as an important step towards restoring urban traffic discipline and a safe and environmentally friendly transport system.