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Photo: Collected
Battery-powered auto-rickshaws are becoming increasingly uncontrollable by the day. Accidents are occurring daily across the capital—whether on VIP roads or in narrow alleyways—due to these vehicles, while the traffic system has effectively broken down. Eyewitnesses and locals say the reckless movement of auto-rickshaws in Dhaka is steadily turning into a source of fear in everyday urban life.
Residents of the capital are strongly demanding the swift formulation and implementation of an effective policy to curb the unregulated operation of auto-rickshaws. Otherwise, fatalities on the roads will continue to rise. It has been learnt that after approval of an improved auto-rickshaw model developed by BUET, pilot projects were launched in Jigatola for the South City and Aftabnagar for the North City.
However, following a High Court order to halt these auto-rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area, protests erupted in different parts of the capital. The government later appealed against the High Court order in the Appellate Division’s chamber court of the Supreme Court. As a result, the BUET-developed model has remained stalled, while the dominance of auto-rickshaws has continued to grow.
On the ground in areas such as Aftabnagar, Gulshan, and Badda, auto-rickshaws are frequently seen violating traffic signals, driving against the flow of traffic, and operating at high speeds. These practices often lead to accidents. Sudden stops on busy roads to pick up and drop off passengers are also intensifying traffic congestion, disrupting not only safety but the normal flow of city life.
Motorcyclist Jewel Rana said that auto-rickshaw drivers often lack licences and vehicle registration, yet operate freely across the capital. He stressed the urgent need to bring them under a clear regulatory framework, warning that the problem will otherwise persist.
A pedestrian and bank official, Rafael Hasan, said he feels unsafe crossing roads every day due to the unpredictable movement of speeding auto-rickshaws. He recounted a recent collision involving his car in Aftabnagar, where an auto-rickshaw suddenly turned right, leaving him injured. He added that drivers frequently overspeed and overtake dangerously.
It is noteworthy that on 17 April in the Shyampur area of the capital, a woman named Pinki Khatun, 32, died after her scarf became entangled with a wheel while travelling in a speeding auto-rickshaw.
Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Division, N M Nasiruddin, said that there is still no policy framework governing auto-rickshaws. Without prompt action, the issue cannot be controlled, he said, noting that their numbers have exceeded the road capacity. He emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive policy, including designated routes, strict speed limits, a reduction in numbers, mandatory training and licensing for drivers, and a ban on underage individuals entering the profession.
Mozammel Haque, General Secretary of the Passenger Welfare Association, said many auto-rickshaws are operated by unlicensed drivers, including school students and underage teenagers. Due to their lack of adequate road safety knowledge, the risk of accidents has increased significantly. While the North City Corporation has introduced a policy, he believes a more comprehensive and welfare-oriented framework is needed, developed through consultation with importers and buyers, considering the entire capital.
Lokman Shah, CEO of Toshi Motor Industries, said many auto-rickshaws currently on the roads are poorly manufactured, with some even assembled in rickshaw garages and lacking proper braking systems. He noted that the BUET-approved auto-rickshaw model produced in Toshi Motor’s factory ensures safety and includes insurance for each vehicle. He added that adopting this model could play an effective role in addressing the auto-rickshaw crisis, while a proper policy could also prevent the government from losing hundreds of crores in revenue.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said traffic discipline in Dhaka is being disrupted. As a result, the government has decided to gradually ban auto-rickshaws from major roads and key areas. Preparations are underway to implement this process, alongside consultations with all stakeholders. He acknowledged that everyone is affected—commuters, authorities, and drivers alike—and stressed the need for a coordinated solution that protects the interests of all parties.