Staff Correspondent

The government will introduce low-speed e-rickshaws in two designated zones in Dhaka city as part of a pilot initiative to regulate battery-powered three-wheelers, said LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Saturday.

Initially the e-rickshaw service developed by experts from Buet will be launched in August in Dhanmondi under Dhaka South City Corporation and Uttara under Dhaka North City Corporation, he said at the inauguration ceremony of the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for low-speed battery-operated rickshaws at DNCC auditorium.

“As part of this initiative, drivers will be trained under the supervision of the Local Government Division. Initially, master trainers will be developed who will then train rickshaw drivers at the field level,” said the adviser.

He said an action plan has been taken to bring the entire licensing process for these vehicles online to eliminate manual intervention and potential irregularities.

“Battery-operated rickshaws pose significant safety concerns and contribute to a large number of unrecorded road accidents. Over the past seven to eight months the issue has become more complicated than we initially anticipated,” he said.

“With everyone’s cooperation, we have reached the first stage of implementing e-rickshaws in a short time. First, we will train the trainers followed by training for the drivers.” he added.

The adviser also said special attention is being given to ensure no extra burden is placed on rickshaw drivers during this transition.

A dedicated mobile application, “Rickshaw App,” will be introduced, and each vehicle will carry a QR code, he added.

“Traffic police will be able to scan the QR code and instantly access relevant information. Our trainers will also be trained to use this system,” he said.

Asif Bhuiyan further said a fixed number of authorised e-rickshaws will be allowed to operate in the two pilot zones only.

“The number of rickshaws will never be unlimited like the current situation where unregulated rickshaws flood the streets of Dhaka. Only specified e-rickshaws will operate within the designated zones,” he said.

“We will ensure that rickshaw pullers face no harassment. They were at the forefront during the July movement and through this initiative we want to provide them with legal means to earn a livelihood,” he added