HC wants battery-run rickshaws off Dhaka streets in three days

The High Court has ordered authorities concerned to stop the operation of battery-powered rickshaws on the streets of the Dhaka metropolitan area within the next three days.

The bench of Justice Fatima Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued this order after hearing a writ petition today (19 November).

Barrister HM Sanjid Siddiqi, who represented the petitioners, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard. 

The court issued a rule asking why the inaction of the petition's respondents in stopping the operation of the battery-powered rickshaws should not be declared illegal.

Earlier, Brihottor Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Malik Oikya Jote President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali filed the petition with the High Court.

Sources at Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said battery-powered rickshaws, vans, and similar three-wheelers have been deteriorating the road safety situation in Dhaka city for a while now. The High Court's order came after petitioners sought action in this regard, according to media reports.

Approximately 12 lakh rickshaws currently operate across the capital, with a significant portion of them being battery-powered. Additionally, many old pedal-rickshaws are being converted into motorised three-wheelers by installing batteries.

Despite multiple drives by the two city corporations of Dhaka, the operations of these illegal three-wheelers continue on city streets.

Battery-powered rickshaws are more prevalent in the side roads and alleys compared to the main roads. However, they often venture onto the main roads when the opportunity arises.

Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Basila, Uttara, Bhatara, Dakkhinkhan, Uttarkhan, Moynartek, Mirpur, and Pallabi are some of the areas known to have a higher concentration of battery-run rickshaws.