The High Court has directed that battery-operated auto rickshaws be banned from operating in the Dhaka Metropolitan area within the next three days due to road chaos and reckless driving. The order was given by the bench of Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Mahmudur Razzaq.

According to sources from the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority), the use of battery-operated or motorized rickshaws and vans is worsening the road safety situation in Dhaka city. These vehicles are considered unfit, outdated, and poorly maintained, and driving such vehicles is deemed a punishable offense. The High Court has ordered the suspension of battery-operated rickshaws that are not fit for service in Dhaka.

These rickshaws are notorious for ignoring traffic regulations and driving recklessly, causing frequent accidents on the roads. In recent months, the number of these rickshaws in Dhaka has surged to such an extent that it has become impossible to control. Many of these vehicles do not have proper documentation, nor permission to operate on the roads, yet they continue to flood the streets daily.

According to reports, there are currently around 1.2 million rickshaws operating in the capital, though some estimates suggest the number could be much higher. A significant number of these are battery-operated, and many traditional pedal-powered rickshaws are being converted into motorized versions by installing batteries. Despite several crackdowns by the Dhaka city corporations, the menace of these illegal vehicles persists.

It has been found that battery-operated rickshaws are particularly prevalent in narrow lanes and side streets, causing severe traffic congestion. These vehicles often disregard traffic rules and, due to their reckless speed, accidents occur regularly. They also frequently enter main roads, disrupting traffic flow. Areas like Khilgaon, Mugdapara, Manda, Basabo, Sipahibagh, Madartek, Maniknagar, Jatrabari, Rampura, Banashree, Badda, Sayedabad, Kadamtali, Shabujbag, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Bachila, Uttara, Bhatara, Dakshinkhan, North Khan, Maynartek, Mirpur, Pallabi, and many other places have seen a growing number of battery-operated rickshaws, according to local residents. These areas report a consistent rise in the number of auto-rickshaws.