Dhaka South City Corporation is planning a new system to manage rickshaws, including battery-powered vehicles, in an effort to reduce congestion in the capital. The plan would divide Dhaka into several zones and allow rickshaws registered for a specific area to operate only within that area. DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam announced the proposal recently at Nagar Bhaban, saying a rickshaw from Demra would not be allowed to travel to New Market.

The authority may completely prohibit rickshaws on some roads and impose restrictions on particular days on others, depending on need. Rickshaw operation in Dhaka would require licences and registration. The proposal also seeks to prevent rickshaws from Keraniganj or Demra from entering other areas and to limit unrestricted movement of Dhaka North City Corporation rickshaws into the southern city area.

Salam said the entry of battery-powered rickshaws into Dhaka from different parts of the country has increased since 5 August. Necessary laws and regulations are being drafted, and the city corporation will implement the system after receiving legislation from the relevant ministry. The local government division is also preparing an e-rickshaw policy and considering a unified licensing authority.