The government is formulating a policy to ensure auto-rickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws, Nasimon, Karimon and Bhotbhoti operate on local roads instead of highways, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Monday.
The proposed framework includes mandatory registration of three-wheelers and similar vehicles, driving licences for operators and stricter route-control measures, the minister told Parliament. “Legal action is being taken against violators under the Road Transport Act, 2018.”
Despite a High Court ban, auto-rickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws and locally made vehicles continue to operate on highways across the country, he said.
Responding to a question from Rangpur-3 lawmaker Md Mahbubur Rahman Belal in Parliament, the Rabiul said joint drives involving Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Highway Police and district administration are being conducted at key highway points to address the situation.
In reply to a question from Tangail-7 MP Abul Kalam Azad Siddique, he said BRTA records show that 4,997,090 motorcycles are currently registered in Bangladesh.
The minister added that owners of motorcycles that have not yet been registered can obtain legal registration numbers by submitting the required documents through the prescribed process.
Answering a question from National Citizen Party lawmaker Abdullah Al Amin, he said Narayanganj city has been incorporated into the proposed alignment of MRT Line-2.
The proposed 30.40-kilometre route will run from Gabtoli through Mohammadpur, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Mitford, Naya Bazar, Dholaikhal, Dayaganj, Kajla, Demra, Signboard, Bhuighar, Jalkuri and Shibu Market before terminating at Narayanganj, Rabiul said.
He said a proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission as part of efforts to arrange a development partner. A feasibility study will be conducted after the approval and financing decisions are obtained.
The minister also said Exim Bank of South Korea has completed a feasibility study for the proposed 16-kilometre MRT Line-4 from Kamalapur to Madanpur in Narayanganj, combining elevated and underground sections. Further steps will be taken after review of the report.
Responding to a question from Munshiganj-1 MP Md Abdullah, he said work is underway to formulate the “Dhaka-Chattogram Highway Development” project in line with plans for a national expressway grid and the construction of the Dhaka-Chattogram Expressway. “The project will move forward subject to the availability of foreign financing.”
In response to a question from reserved-seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Rabiul said toll is currently collected on 67 bridges nationwide.
He noted that toll collection on nine bridges stopped completely after 5 August 2024. Toll collection has since resumed on two of those bridges, while collection remains suspended on seven others.
Replying to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Md Mustafizur Rahman Babul, the minister said the Second Jamuna Bridge is one of the current government's major election pledges.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority’s master plan recommends implementation of the project by 2033, he said, adding that consultant recruitment for the feasibility study is underway and negotiations have already been completed, with a contract expected to be signed shortly.
The study will determine the most suitable location, including options between Sariakandi in Bogura and Madarganj in Jamalpur, or between Balashi Ghat in Gaibandha and Dewanganj Ghat in Jamalpur, said Rabiul, who is also railways minister.
Responding to a question from reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, he said Bangladesh Railway has initiated plans to generate solar power using unused railway land and rooftops.
The initiative will follow the OPEX model under the Net Metering Guideline-2025. Private investors will be invited to participate, with the first phase covering rooftops at Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Sylhet railway stations, as well as railway office buildings in Dhaka, the minister said.
Answering a question from NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, he said Bangladesh Railway identifies repeated password-reset requests and frequent credential changes as suspicious activities.
Over the past three months, 7,810 suspicious accounts have been blocked, including 4,334 in March, 413 in April and 3,063 in May, Rabiul said.
He added that the current contract between railway ticketing service providers Shohoz-Synesis-Vincen and Bangladesh Railway will expire on 24 March next year. “Appropriate action will be taken if intelligence agencies provide specific allegations or evidence of wrongdoing.”
The minister also said Bangladesh Railway is considering establishing a fully self-managed server system once institutional capacity is strengthened.
Responding to a question from Chapainawabganj-3 MP Md Nurul Islam, he said the government has a clear plan to modernise the railway network and bring it up to international standards.
Under the Bangladesh Railway Master Plan (2016-2045), major and high-traffic sections will be gradually upgraded to double-track lines, Rabiul said.
However, he said it is neither economically nor technically feasible to double-track all railway lines simultaneously and so, projects are being prioritised based on traffic density and commercial importance.