The government is set to introduce a specific and coordinated set of guidelines to regulate the operation of battery-run rickshaws and easy-bikes across the country to curb the surge in traffic congestion and road accidents.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam informed the Parliament on Monday that experiments are currently underway to determine the most effective management and control methods for these vehicles.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure a modern multimodal communication system, particularly within Dhaka.
The minister shared these details during the 23rd day of the first budget session of the 13th National Parliament, while responding to a supplementary question from Shaukat Ara Akter, MP.
Earlier, Shaukat submitted a notice of urgent public importance under Rule 71, calling for the transition of all public transport to electric or environment-friendly fuels to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change risks.
She said Bangladesh faces severe threats from global warming, including rising temperatures, frequent natural disasters, and disrupted agricultural production.
According to her, the transport sector in Bangladesh emits approximately 11.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the majority of which comes from diesel-powered buses and trucks.
To address this, she urged the government to increase electricity production for electric vehicles (EVs) and promote the use of CNG, LNG, green hydrogen, and solar power.
Regarding battery-run auto-rickshaws, Shaukat added that while their unregulated movement contributes to congestion and accidents, they remain popular with both passengers and drivers due to their speed, low cost, and reduced physical labour.
She enquired whether the government had plans to standardise these vehicles and bring them under the oversight of a specific authority rather than banning them entirely.
In his response, Robiul clarified that while these internal city vehicles are primarily managed by city corporations and traffic departments; limiting the direct intervention of the ministry, the government is actively working on a solution.
He assured that a specific policy and set of instructions regarding the control and operation of battery-powered vehicles would be issued shortly. These guidelines will serve as a framework for local administrations and the government to work in a coordinated manner.
