E-rickshaws to be introduced in Uttara, Dhanmondi, Paltan areas in August
“There is no plan to remove the current rickshaws immediately. New e-rickshaws will operate alongside those rickshaws. Old rickshaws will be phased out gradually,” says Dhaka North Administrator Mohammad Azaz.
The Dhaka North and South city corporations are set to introduce battery-operated e-rickshaws in three areas of the capital, Uttara, Dhanmondi, and Paltan, from August this year.
Dhaka North Administrator Mohammad Azaz made the announcement today (28 June) at the inauguration ceremony of a driver training programme for three-wheeled low-speed e-rickshaws, held at the city corporation auditorium.
He said the initiative aims to modernise urban transport while reducing environmental impact.
"There is no plan to remove the current rickshaws immediately. New e-rickshaws will operate alongside those rickshaws. Old rickshaws will be phased out gradually," Azaz stated.
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He also mentioned that after the initial launch, the service would gradually be expanded to other parts of the city.
The training programme is part of efforts to ensure safe and efficient operation of the new vehicles. It has begun under the supervision of the Local Government Division, with support from BRAC.
As part of this initiative, master trainers will first be prepared, who will then provide field-level training to drivers.
Speaking as chief guest at the event, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said, "Dhaka's rickshaw problem is a complex issue. The current situation is the result of a long collective effort."
He added, "Since hand-to-hand exchange of licences often involves financial transactions, the entire process will be made online. No one will be allowed on the road without a valid licence. Specific zones will be designated, and only a fixed number of rickshaws will be allowed to operate within them."
A total of 300 individuals have been selected for master trainer development.
Among them, 200 have been nominated from the Department of Youth Development and the Students Against Discrimination platform, and 100 from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
In the first phase, 200 master trainers will receive instruction at 10 training centres under the North and South City Corporations.
The remaining 100 will be trained by July next year. These trainers will later conduct field-level driver training sessions.
A standard model design and technical specification for the e-rickshaws has already been approved.
This information has been circulated to all city corporations, including Dhaka North and South, to guide future implementation.
It was also announced that a formal policy, titled Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Operated Rickshaw (E-rickshaw) Operation Regulations, 2025, in city corporation areas, has been finalised.
Under this policy, e-rickshaws will only be allowed to operate on roads designated by the relevant city corporation and traffic police.
They will be prohibited from operating on highways, elevated expressways, and dedicated bus routes. Use of footpaths is also strictly forbidden.
Additional rules include mandatory use of the left lane, prohibition on mobile phone use while driving, and a limit of two passengers per rickshaw.
E-rickshaws may not carry excess loads, overtake illegally, or change lanes without cause. The use of horns above 40 decibels is also banned.
