E-Rickshaw Registration Begins in 13 City Corporations; Owners to Pay Tk 8,000–10,000 per Rickshaw

❐ Staff Reporter

‘E-rickshaw’ registration is starting from Monday to bring battery-powered rickshaws under control in 13 city corporation areas of the country. However, the rickshaws currently plying on the roads will not be stopped immediately, said State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

He announced the government’s new policy during a discussion with journalists at the Secretariat on Sunday, November 1.

The State Minister said that the government has formulated specific rules for the operation of low-speed e-rickshaws in city corporation areas. Under this rule, a person can register a maximum of five e-rickshaws in one or more city corporation areas against his/her National Identity Card (NID). The registration opportunity will be introduced in all areas in a phased manner.

Every approved e-rickshaw is required to have a speedometer. These vehicles can travel at a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. The state minister has clarified that e-rickshaws cannot be operated on city corporation roads without registration.

Assuring the owners and drivers of rickshaws currently plying on the roads, Mir Shahe Alam said, “The conventional rickshaws are not being stopped right now. Whether they are legal or illegal, they will continue for now. So, drivers and owners need not panic.”

However, there are strict rules regarding charging. The state minister said that e-rickshaw batteries must be charged at designated authorized charging stations. Strict legal action will be taken if charging is done using stolen connections or illegal electricity.

To prevent environmental damage, it will also be prohibited to dismantle or recycle batteries anywhere without a permit from the Department of Environment.

The government has also fixed registration and annual renewal fees. The one-time registration fee for a two-seater e-rickshaw is Tk 8,000, and the annual renewal fee is Tk 4,000. The registration fee for a four-seater e-rickshaw is Tk 10,000 and the annual renewal fee is Tk 5,000.

The State Minister also said that area-based zones, specific routes, and different colors for e-rickshaws will be finalized soon to reduce traffic congestion and maintain order on the roads in the city.