Government to Introduce National Guidelines for Battery-Powered Rickshaws

The government is preparing a coordinated policy framework to regulate battery-powered rickshaws and easy-bikes across Bangladesh as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents. Authorities are currently testing different management approaches before finalising the regulatory guidelines.

Monday, 13 July Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam disclosed the information while responding to a supplementary question during the 23rd sitting of the first budget session of the 13th National Parliament.

The minister said the government is working to develop a modern multimodal transport system, particularly in Dhaka. He added that ongoing trials would help determine the most effective management mechanism before a formal policy and operational guidelines are issued.

Earlier, MP Shaukat Ara Akter raised a Rule 71 notice, urging the government to accelerate the transition of public transport to electric and other environmentally friendly energy sources. She said Bangladesh is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, including rising temperatures, frequent natural disasters and disruptions to agricultural production.

According to her, the country's transport sector emits around 11.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, with diesel-powered buses and trucks accounting for the largest share. She also called for increased electricity generation for electric vehicles and greater use of compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, green hydrogen and solar energy.

She further noted that although the unregulated movement of battery-powered auto-rickshaws contributes to congestion and road accidents, the vehicles remain widely used because of their affordability, speed and lower physical effort for drivers. She asked whether the government planned to regulate and standardise the vehicles under a designated authority instead of imposing a complete ban.

In reply, the minister said that although city corporations and traffic authorities are primarily responsible for regulating such vehicles in urban areas, the government is working on a coordinated solution. He said a national policy and operational guidelines would be issued soon to help local administrations and relevant agencies regulate battery-powered vehicles in a uniform manner.
//DBTech/MAR/SI//