Dhaka:Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a registration process for three-wheeler low-speed battery-run rickshaws, commonly known as e-rickshaws, with the aim of regulating their operation and controlling their numbers within its jurisdiction.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the initiative, announced by DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam at a press briefing at Nagar Bhaban, is in line with new regulations aimed at ensuring order in e-rickshaw operations and providing safe commuting options for city residents.
Starting tomorrow, application forms for e-rickshaw registration will be available at a cost of Tk 100 per form. Individuals can collect up to five forms using a single National Identity Card (NID). These forms will be distributed at Nagar Bhaban and all zonal offices of DSCC. However, obtaining an application form does not guarantee registration; only vehicles that meet the technical parameters set by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and pass the necessary scrutiny will receive certificates.
Applicants are required to be Bangladeshi citizens and must submit attested copies of their NID, two recent passport-size photographs, original payment receipts, and fitness certificates on prescribed forms along with their application. Compliance with BUET's technical standards and safety features is mandatory for technical clearance.
The DSCC plans to divide its jurisdiction into four zones to effectively manage e-rickshaw routes and regulate vehicle numbers. This zonal management system will be developed in consultation with traffic police and relevant stakeholders. The DSCC anticipates that the new rules will alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the number of unauthorized and unfit e-rickshaws, thereby establishing a safer and more orderly urban transport system.