Bangladesh to relocate battery-run rickshaws outside Dhaka to ease traffic congestion
Photo Collected
Bangladesh’s Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced plans to relocate battery-operated rickshaws outside of metropolitan areas as part of a broader strategy to mitigate chronic traffic congestion in the capital. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the minister emphasized that while the proliferation of these vehicles poses a significant challenge to urban mobility, the government is committed to balancing traffic management with the humanitarian need to prevent mass unemployment.
The minister acknowledged the rapid and widespread increase in the number of battery-operated rickshaws on Dhaka’s streets, noting that immediate eviction would be impractical due to the socioeconomic implications for thousands of low-income workers. Instead, the government is exploring rehabilitation programs that would transition these drivers away from metropolitan roads, ensuring they remain employed while simultaneously clearing major transit arteries.
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Efforts to modernize the city’s grid are being bolstered by the integration of artificial intelligence into traffic management. Minister Ahmed described the implementation of AI-driven systems as a “revolutionary change,” noting that the project is being developed in collaboration with experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Early results from the automation initiative have already begun to yield improvements, and officials anticipate that traffic flow will show visible, sustained progress within the coming months.
The government’s shift toward digital enforcement is also fostering greater compliance, with reports suggesting that drivers are increasingly adhering to traffic signals—even during nighttime hours—due to the implementation of automated ticketing systems.
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Addressing other administrative concerns, the minister commented on the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the recent killing of a child in the Pallabi area. While declining to comment on the merits of a sub judice case, Ahmed assured the public that the government is providing full cooperation to ensure a swift judicial process, including the expedited appearance of investigators and witnesses in court.
Finally, the minister noted that an upcoming high-level meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is scheduled to take place soon. This session will serve as a standard diplomatic forum to address long-standing bilateral issues, including border security, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and the prevention of cross-border casualties.
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