Battery-run rickshaws are increasingly causing accidents, congestion, and safety hazards on highways and busy roads across Bangladesh, with experts warning that the problem endangers motorists, pedestrians, and emergency services alike.
On Saturday, Jubayer and Afroja, along with their two children, were injured when their rickshaw collided with another on Gulshan-Badda Link Road. The teenage driver was reportedly speeding despite repeated requests from the family to slow down. Afroja and one child fell to the ground, sustaining minor injuries.
Such incidents have become commonplace nationwide.
Experts cite the unchecked spread of battery-run rickshaws on main roads and highways as a major contributor to accidents, slowed traffic, and delayed emergency services.
“The major problem is that fire brigades cannot reach fire spots in time,” said a director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, who requested anonymity.
He urged the government to remove rickshaws from main roads immediately.
Extortion linked to rickshaw operations has also increased risks.
On Saturday, a police team led by Additional SP (Sadar Circle) of Narsingdi, Anwar Hossain Shamim, was attacked at Arshinagar Crossing while trying to stop extortion from autorickshaw drivers.
“They attacked us because we opposed their extortion,” said Shamim, who was injured.
During a field-level visit last week, media found battery-run rickshaws have mushroomed on prime roads in Dhaka, including Azimpur, Mirpur, Shahbagh, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Badda, Mo-hakhali, and Uttara, while traffic police were largely inactive.
Research by the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET identifies battery-run three-wheelers as a leading cause of road accidents.
Among 18 types of vehicles analysed, autorickshaws were deemed most dangerous due to their weak construction, which makes them prone to accidents even from minor collisions.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS) Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said at least 457 people were killed and 1,200 injured in battery-run rickshaw and van accidents in 2024 alone.
Dr Md Shamsul Hoque, former ARI director, added that autorickshaw and easybike drivers “have no road sense,” driving recklessly and slowing other vehicles.
He also warned that the lead-acid batteries used in these vehicles are harmful to human health and soil.
“The government will make a mistake if it registers these vehicles instead of removing them. Larger vehicles, such as buses, should replace small rickshaws,” Dr Shamsul Hoque said, add-ing, “There are no rickshaws in 193 countries. Why cannot we manage without them if other countries can?”
Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain said, “Police are aware that auto-rickshaws are operating illegally on highways and main roads, creating safety risks. Past re-moval attempts faced challenges, but the government may review and take renewed action to clear major roads, prioritising enforcement and public safety.”
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
