By M. Rahman, PhD, Adviser, Dhaka Straits Times, 

Battery-operated three-wheelers have become a common sight across Bangladesh, easing short-distance travel but creating significant traffic chaos and frequent accidents. With around 4 million such vehicles nationwide—half of them in Dhaka alone—their unregulated speed, lack of proper registration, and absence of driver training have made streets increasingly hazardous. Highways and city roads alike are now vulnerable to collisions, often disrupting other public transport and long-distance travel.

The environmental and health implications are equally alarming. These vehicles rely largely on lead-acid batteries, which release toxic substances such as lead, lead oxide, and sulfuric acid. Improper disposal of used batteries contaminates soil and water, enters the food chain, and poses severe risks to children’s development, heart and kidney function in adults, and overall public health. Despite their widespread use, no national policy exists for safe battery disposal or regulation of three-wheeler operations.

Over the past decade, battery-powered three-wheelers have been imported and manufactured in large numbers to meet soaring demand. Their rapid proliferation without oversight has not only disrupted road safety but also heightened long-term health and environmental hazards. Urgent government action is needed to create comprehensive regulations covering vehicle registration, driver training, speed control, and battery disposal. A unified policy will ensure that this convenient mode of transport does not come at the cost of public safety or environmental well-being.