Online Desk  :  A group of rickshaw pullers staged a road blockade at Dayaganj intersection in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Wednesday, protesting the ban on battery-powered rickshaws in the city. At one point, clashes erupted between the rickshaw pullers and police, leaving two police members injured. The protest began around 12:00 pm as battery-powered rickshaw drivers demanded permission to operate on major roads.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jatrabari Police Station Md Faruk Ahmed told Jago News, “Rickshaw drivers blocked the road at Dayaganj intersection, demanding the right to drive battery-powered rickshaws on main roads. Severe traffic congestion ensued, and police requested them to vacate the road. However, they ignored the request and attacked the police instead. Two police members were injured and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”

The OC added that as of 1:00 pm, the rickshaw drivers had lifted the blockade. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain control. On Tuesday, the High Court ordered the cessation of battery-powered rickshaws within Dhaka city within three days. The directive was issued by a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Mahmudur Raji. The court instructed the Home Secretary, Local Government Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and authorities of the two city corporations to enforce the order.

The petition was filed by Dhaka Metropolitan Rickshaw Owners’ Unity Council’s President Jahurul Islam Masum and General Secretary Md. Momin Ali, representing the pedal-rickshaw sector. Barristers HM Sanjid Siddiqui and Tahsina Tasnim Mridu represented the petitioners in court. Currently, approximately 1.3 million rickshaws operate in the capital, with a significant portion being battery-powered. Many traditional pedal rickshaws have been retrofitted with batteries.

Battery-powered rickshaws are more prevalent in alleys but often venture onto major roads when opportunities arise. High concentrations of these rickshaws are found in areas such as Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Bosila, Uttara, Vatara, Dakshinkhan, Uttar Khan, Moynartek, Mirpur, and Pallabi. These rickshaws operate across the city, contributing to frequent accidents. Many people have been injured, and fatalities have occurred. Despite repeated drives by the two Dhaka city corporations, the illegal operation of these vehicles remains widespread.

In addition to these areas, battery-powered rickshaws can be seen throughout the city, contributing to frequent accidents. Many people have been injured, and fatalities have also occurred. Despite repeated drives by the two Dhaka city corporations, the illegal operation of these vehicles continues unabated.