Illegal autorickshaw charging causes Tk4,000cr annual revenue loss

The government is losing around Tk4,000 crore in annual revenue due to illegal charging of battery-run autorickshaws, with more than 48,000 informal or illegal charging points operating in Dhaka alone, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament today (7 September).

Although an estimated 50-80 lakh battery-run autorickshaws operate nationwide, there are only around 3,300 legal charging points, he said.

The minister disclosed the figures in response to an urgent public-importance notice under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure in parliament. Reserved women's seat MP Rehana Akhter Ranu submitted the notice on the "uncontrolled operation of autorickshaws".

Salahuddin said battery-run autorickshaws, e-rickshaws and other electric three-wheelers have become an important part of urban and rural transport over the past decade. But their rapid and largely unregulated growth has increased pressure on the power system, roads and environment.

The electricity needed to charge the vehicles could account for around 5% or more of the country's total generation, he said. Large-scale simultaneous charging is also putting pressure on local distribution networks, while illegal commercial use of residential connections is overloading transformers and distribution lines.

Road safety and environmental concerns

Salahuddin said the unregulated operation of autorickshaws is also increasing traffic congestion and road accident risks.

According to data presented by him, battery-run autorickshaws accounted for 13.54% of the vehicles involved in 6,729 road accidents recorded in 2025. 

Unregistered vehicles, untrained drivers, faulty designs, defective brakes and lights, speeding and the operation of slow-moving vehicles on highways are among the factors increasing accident risks, he said.

The minister also raised concerns over unsafe handling and informal recycling of lead-acid batteries, which can cause soil and water pollution. Child labourers face particular health risks, while agriculture and poultry production are also being affected, he said.

Autorickshaws to come under regulation

The government is formulating a policy to bring autorickshaws under a regulated system. Authorised vehicles will have number plates and QR codes, while drivers will be registered, trained and gradually brought under licensing.

Routes, vehicle numbers and movement will also be regulated, with a digital system planned to track vehicles and batteries.

Ranu said she did not seek a ban on autorickshaws but their regulation. She proposed moving them from major roads to secondary routes, introducing solar-powered charging, making BRTA registration mandatory and introducing zone-based operation in Dhaka.

Salahuddin said the policy would balance employment, environmental protection and traffic management.

The minister also informed the parliament that 50 AI-based traffic cameras are operating at 17 intersections in Dhaka, with another 200 being installed under the Ramna and Tejgaon traffic divisions.