Published : 25 Nov 2024, 06:50 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 12:07 PM
Drivers of battery-powered rickshaws are conducting a sixth consecutive day of protests against the High Court's order to ban the vehicles from the Dhaka Metropolitan Area.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station OC Mohammad Golam Azam said the drivers blocked traffic as they took up positions on the road in Agargaon around 10:30am on Monday.
They were still on the road at 11:15pm, he said.
“Rickshaw drivers are blocking both sides of the road at the intersection near the Agargaon Metro Station. This has brought traffic to a halt on the road and created a traffic jam. We are trying to convince them to clear the road."
Meanwhile, a delegation of battery-powered rickshaw drivers and owners met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzad Ali.
The meeting began at around 11:30am at the DMP headquarters, said DMP Deputy Commissioner of Media and Public Relations Muhammad Talebur Rahman.
On Tuesday, Nov 26, the High Court ordered the banning of battery-powered rickshaws from the Dhaka metropolitan area within three days.
The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi made the decision based on a writ petition by the Pedal-run Rickshaw Association.
On Wednesday, battery-run rickshaw drivers blocked the road in Dhaka’s Dayaganj intersection to protest the decision.
The protests expanded to different parts of the capital on Thursday, blocking roads and rail lines in Mohakhali, Mirpur, Malibagh, Mohammadpur, Gabtoli, Agargaon, Nakhalpara, Rampura, and Khilgaon.
On Friday, the drivers blocked the road and rail line in Dhaka’s Jurain. They also clashed with the police.
On Saturday, the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van and Easybike Drivers Sangram Parishad set a deadline of seven days for the High Court to reconsider its stance. It also called for a policy to resolve issues over licensing and route permits.
The protests continued in different parts of the capital on Sunday, with a ‘Mass Occupation’ programme held in front of the Jatiya Press Club, and blockades of roads and in Mohammadpur, Jatrabari, and Shahbagh. Several vehicles were vandalised during the protest in Jatrabari.
Meanwhile, the interim government has petitioned to appeal the High Court’s decision on the matter.
Battery-powered three-wheel rickshaws go by different names, including autos and easybikes.
In May, former road transport minister Obaidul Quader announced that these vehicles could not operate on Dhaka’s roads, claiming that they, alongside motorcycles, were responsible for many road accidents.
The announcement received the support of former Dhaka North mayor Atiqul Islam and former Dhaka South mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
Drivers and garage owners protested the announcement, leading to clashes between law enforcers and drivers that left several injured.
Afterwards, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina declared that the battery-run rickshaws were allowed to ply the roads in consideration of people’s livelihoods.
