The government has taken an initiative to formulate a new policy for managing battery-powered e-rickshaws operating in city corporations, municipalities, upazilas and union parishads. The proposed framework will focus on licensing, registration, traffic discipline and road safety.

The initiative was discussed at a meeting held Thursday (August 13, 2026) at the meeting room of the Local Government Division at the Secretariat. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam chaired the meeting.

The meeting discussed measures to ensure effective management of three-wheeled, low-speed battery-powered rickshaws, considering urban management, traffic discipline, road safety and the existing situation. Representatives of relevant stakeholders presented their views and recommendations.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said a policy for managing e-rickshaws is being formulated in accordance with the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009 and the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act, 2026.

He said effective implementation of the policy could play an important role in reducing traffic congestion, maintaining traffic discipline and improving road safety in urban areas.

The state minister also said that a regulated licensing and registration system through local government bodies would generate revenue for the government treasury.

He further said the government would take steps to update the existing regulations and establish an integrated licensing authority for city corporations, municipalities, upazilas and union parishads. Amendments to the existing rules would be undertaken to facilitate this process.

Meanwhile, several provisions and schedules of the ‘Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act, 2026’ have already been amended to create provisions for registering battery-powered rickshaws and issuing licenses to their drivers in city corporation areas.

Earlier, on December 14, 2025, the Local Government Division issued the ‘Rules for Operating Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Powered Rickshaws (E-Rickshaws) in City Corporation Areas, 2025’ to regulate e-rickshaw operations. The rules were published in the official gazette on December 17, 2025.

At Thursday’s meeting, Professor Dr. Md. Hadiuzzaman of the Civil Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) provided expert opinions on the issue.

Among those present were Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, Dhaka North City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Md. Khaibar Rahman and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Anisur Rahman.

Senior officials from the ministry and the two city corporations also attended the meeting.