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Published : 03 Sep 2025, 03:42 PM
Drivers of battery-powered rickshaws, vans and easybikes have called for a unified policy under the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), rejecting draft regulations framed under the amended Local Government (City Corporation) Act.
At a media briefing in Dhaka on Wednesday, the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van and Easybike Sangram Parishad said the BRTA had already prepared a draft policy covering safety standards, design and registration for electric three-wheelers.
The group also announced a protest programme, including a rally outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sept 16 and demonstrations across all divisional cities and major districts on Sept 16 to press home their demand.
According to the organisation’s Member Secretary Manisha Chakraborty, although city corporations lacked the technical expertise to frame such rules, the amended law assigned them responsibility for design guidelines, quality control and regulation.
“The draft regulations have reached us and we have noticed several concerning issues,” she said. “This ministry has no arrangements for such technical tasks.”
Manisha warned that the proposed regulations would require drivers to undergo training at city corporation-approved institutions and buy compulsory insurance from private companies.
“This means hundreds of thousands of workers will be held hostage by business entities just to get a licence,” she said, calling the move unacceptable.
The group alleged the law was being amended under Ordinance 45 of 2025 to serve business interests and undermine drivers’ rights.
