At a time when residents of Feni are struggling with frequent power cuts, hundreds of battery-run auto-rickshaws and easy bikes are being charged at unauthorised points across the district, putting additional pressure on the power distribution network and depriving the government of revenue.
A local investigation has found around 183 charging points in Feni where battery-powered vehicles are being charged daily. Many of these facilities have allegedly been set up without proper approval, using excess loads from existing connections or illegal electricity lines.
The charging points have emerged in residential areas, roadside shops and private garages across Feni town and nearby areas. Locations including Shanti Company Road, Nazir Road, Saheb Bazar, Shaheed Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Obaidul Haque Road, Academy area, Ukilpara, Bampur, Shaheen Academy, old police quarters, Birinchi, Sultanpur, Courtpara, Barahipur, Bangabir Road, Mahipal Chowdhury Bari Road and Pathan Bari Road have reported such facilities.
Residents said similar charging garages have also spread across different unions of Feni Sadar and other upazilas of the district.
During visits to several locations, this correspondent found multiple auto-rickshaws parked together and connected to chargers for long periods. In some places, electrical wires and charging equipment were being used in open spaces without visible safety measures.
Concerns over illegal connections
Investigations suggest that some charging points are operating through bypass systems, direct hooking or electricity consumption beyond approved limits.
Such unauthorised use not only causes revenue losses but also makes it difficult for the electricity authorities to distinguish between legitimate consumption and illegal demand.
Several residents alleged that although electricity officials are aware of some of these locations, regular drives are not being conducted. They claimed that some disconnected connections return through new unauthorised links.
Some locals, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that illegal connections could not continue for such a long period without support from dishonest officials. However, these allegations could not be independently verified, and no specific evidence was found against any electricity department employee.
Impact on power supply
While illegal charging points are not the only reason behind Feni’s load-shedding, officials and experts say a large number of vehicles charging simultaneously can put additional pressure on local distribution lines.
The pressure becomes more intense during evenings and nights when household electricity demand rises. Simultaneous charging of hundreds of batteries during peak hours can further strain the local network.
However, electricity shortages depend on several factors, including national generation capacity, grid supply, local distribution capability, weather conditions and overall demand.
Revenue losses
Apart from putting pressure on the power system, illegal charging facilities are also contributing to government revenue losses.
If electricity is consumed through approved meters, the authorities can collect bills. But power used through illegal connections does not generate revenue for the state.
The growth of battery-powered vehicles has also raised questions over registration, approval and taxation. Residents said many battery-run auto-rickshaws operating on Feni’s roads do not have proper registration or valid identification numbers.
A resident of Feni town said even traditional pedal rickshaws have municipal number plates, while many battery-powered vehicles operate without formal approval, depriving the municipality of potential revenue.
Traffic risks rise
The growing number of battery-powered vehicles has also contributed to increasing traffic congestion in the town, according to residents.
They said many drivers lack proper training, resulting in vehicles stopping suddenly, picking up passengers from unsuitable locations and moving in opposite directions, increasing accident risks.
Traffic Inspector Shahadat Hossain said authorities fined illegal auto-rickshaws around Tk28 lakh in the past four months through enforcement drives.
“Operations against unauthorised vehicles are continuing. We hope traffic congestion will gradually reduce,” he said.
Power officials promise action
Feni Electricity Department Executive Engineer Sabuj Kanti Majumder said authorities were taking the issue seriously.
“No illegal charging garage or electricity theft will be tolerated. With support from the district administration, large-scale drives will soon be conducted against such illegal activities,” he said.
He clarified that a customer using a legally approved meter cannot be considered illegal merely because the connection is used for charging auto-rickshaws.
“Whether an auto-rickshaw is legal or illegal is a matter for the relevant authorities. If a meter connection has been approved after proper verification, it cannot be declared illegal only because of the purpose of use,” he said.
The executive engineer added that action would also be taken against any electricity department employee found involved in illegal activities.
Municipality vows crackdown
Feni Municipality Executive Engineer Zakir Uddin said the issue of unauthorised auto-rickshaws and revenue losses had come to their attention.
“We will discuss the matter with all stakeholders and take legal steps to restore discipline on roads and stop illegal vehicles,” he said.
Nationwide challenge
Feni’s situation reflects a broader national challenge as battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes continue to expand across Bangladesh.
There is no comprehensive official data on the total number of such vehicles, but reports citing the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association have estimated that more than six million battery-powered auto-rickshaws operate nationwide.
The growing electricity demand from these vehicles has also become a national concern. A recent report citing a Centre for Policy Dialogue study said Dhaka alone had more than 48,000 illegal charging points compared with around 3,300 approved charging stations.
Another report estimated that a battery-powered rickshaw may consume around 6 to 8 units of electricity daily. However, such figures are based on estimates from organisations and media reports rather than official nationwide statistics.
According to the latest available data from the power sector, Bangladesh had 50.39 million electricity customers until June 2026, while distribution system loss stood at 6.70 per cent. The distribution loss was 7.38 per cent in the 2025-26 fiscal year until June, according to Power Cell data.
The government has been expanding prepaid meter installation to reduce non-technical losses and improve revenue collection. The electricity division said 8.75 million prepaid meters had been installed nationwide by June this year.
With 183 alleged illegal charging points in Feni highlighting the growing pressure on electricity management, road safety and municipal revenue, officials say a coordinated system is needed to identify legal and illegal vehicles, regulate charging facilities and strengthen monitoring before the problem expands further.
