Sangram Parishad Demands Nine Amendments to E-Rickshaw Rules, Rallies Planned in 13 City Corporations on November 11

The Rickshaw, Battery-Run Rickshaw-Van and Easy Bike Sangram Parishad has demanded amendments to the government-formulated E-Rickshaw Rules, 2026, including giving two years to change the structure of battery-run rickshaws, introducing licences for drivers and reducing registration and renewal fees.

At a press conference held in front of the National Press Club on Tuesday (November 3), the organisation placed nine proposals, pointing out various inconsistencies in the rules. Central leaders of the organisation, including its member secretary Dr. Manisha Chakraborty, were present at the press conference.

Addressing the press conference, the organisation's convener Khalekuzzaman Lipon said the government has taken the initiative to formulate rules for battery-run vehicles after 13 years of movement. They are initially welcoming the decision. However, if several provisions of the rules are not amended, anxiety may arise among drivers and owners and the goal of establishing discipline on the roads may be hampered.

The organisation demanded that at least two years be given to change the structure of e-rickshaws currently in operation. Although the rules say action will be taken by treating a vehicle as illegal if it does not have the BUET-recognised standard structure, no specific timeframe has been set for structural change. The organisation thinks this creates a risk of the existing vehicles being evicted.

They also demanded that the process of issuing licences to drivers be included in the rules. A proposal has been made to involve the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in this regard. According to the organisation, if only identity cards are arranged, there will be a risk of irregularities and syndicates. A system of valid licences is needed to ensure drivers' skill and safety.

The Sangram Parishad also objected to the registration and renewal fees fixed in the rules. According to them, the one-time registration fee for a two-seat e-rickshaw has been set at Tk 8,000 and the annual renewal fee at Tk 4,000. The registration fee for a four-seat e-rickshaw is Tk 10,000 and the renewal fee Tk 5,000. These fees are beyond the means of drivers and owners. The organisation demanded that the fees be refixed in discussion with stakeholders.

They also proposed including representatives of drivers, owners and related organisations in determining the number of e-rickshaws, introducing separate lanes for three-wheelers beside highways, and clarifying on which roads e-rickshaws will be allowed to run.

The Sangram Parishad also objected to the provision making solar power use mandatory at charging stations and bringing the vehicles under insurance in phases. They said this could make small charging station owners and drivers dependent on big businesses and insurance companies.

The organisation's other demands include involving the BRTA in the production, fitness and approval process, clarifying the rules' applicability in municipalities and other local government areas outside city corporations, and ensuring transparency in the registration process.

It was said at the press conference that the livelihoods of three crore people are linked to around 60 lakh battery-run vehicles in the country. Therefore, discipline must be established on the roads through modernisation and regulation of these vehicles, not by evicting them.

It was also announced at the press conference that the Sangram Parishad will hold rallies in 13 city corporations of the country on November 11. At the same time, memorandums will be submitted to the minister of the Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Ministry through the city corporation administrators.