In an effort to streamline traffic and bring order to Dhaka's congested streets, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali announced that battery-powered rickshaws will soon be brought under a licensing and taxation system.
The commissioner made these remarks during a public consultation meeting at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail on Saturday, December 21. The meeting included police officials, students, and residents from the Ramna Model Police Station area.
Highlighting the challenges posed by unregulated traffic, Sajjat Ali emphasized the proliferation of battery-powered rickshaws, noting that their larger size compared to traditional pedal-powered rickshaws exacerbates congestion.
“If the growth of auto-rickshaws is not controlled soon, the streets will become unusable. Everyone seems to be investing in auto-rickshaws because they yield daily profits. This unregulated increase needs immediate action,” he said.
To tackle the issue, the commissioner proposed limiting the number of auto-rickshaws allowed to operate in the city.
The DMP chief stated that battery-powered rickshaws use public roads and electricity but currently do not contribute taxes, which he deemed unacceptable.
“Using public roads funded by taxpayers without paying taxes is unheard of anywhere else in the world. These rickshaws must come under a licensing and taxation system,” he asserted.
The commissioner also criticised Dhaka's lack of planned road infrastructure, noting that unregulated construction and encroachment further strain traffic flow.
“Ambulances and fire services often face delays because people build large structures right next to narrow roads. In addition, construction materials like bricks and sand are left on the streets, obstructing movement,” he said, urging residents to avoid such practices.
Sajjat Ali highlighted the disruption caused by public gatherings: “When political or religious parties hold rallies on the streets, it can take up to seven or eight hours to clear the resulting traffic. Holding such events in designated closed areas would significantly ease congestion.”
The DMP chief appealed for public cooperation to address these issues, emphasizing that proactive measures are preferable to punitive actions under the law.
The meeting also featured speeches from Deputy Police Commissioner of Ramna Division Md. Masud Alam and other senior police officials. Leaders from various political, social, religious, and professional bodies, as well as heads of educational institutions and student leaders, participated in the exchange of views.