Rajbari town is increasingly grappling with road safety hazards and severe traffic congestion due to the unregulated proliferation of battery-powered e-bikes and auto-rickshaws. Key thoroughfares—including Shripur Market, Borpul, Natun Bazar, Ankur Collegiate School, Adarsha Mahila College, Pana Chottor, Railgate, and Boro Bazar—are particularly affected. During school and college dismissal times, as well as peak market hours, traffic often comes to a near standstill. Locals report that a journey from Boro Bazar to Railgate, which previously took only a few minutes, now takes around 30 minutes.
Residents attribute the congestion to the sheer volume of e-bikes and auto-rickshaws, inexperienced drivers, and inappropriate parking along narrow streets.
According to Rajbari Municipality data:
| Vehicle Type | Registered | Unauthorised | Total (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-bike | 2,000 | 2,000–3,000 | 4,000+ |
| Auto-rickshaw | 1,733 | 2,000–3,000 | 3,700+ |
The municipality reports that approximately 4,000 e-bikes operate in the town daily, of which around 1,600 are awaiting registration. Plans are underway to bring an additional 2,000 vehicles under formal regulatory control.
Traffic hazards are compounded by road accidents. Over the past 17 months, Rajbari district has recorded 78 road accidents, resulting in 52 fatalities and 75 injuries, many of which led to permanent disabilities. Battery-powered e-bikes and auto-rickshaws have been involved in a significant proportion of these incidents.
Combined, the town’s e-bikes and auto-rickshaws consume around 11 megawatts of electricity daily. According to the Executive Engineer of Rajbari Ozopadic, dedicated meters and prescribed charges are applied for this charging, meaning that the general electricity supply has not been directly affected.
Municipal Licence Inspector Md. Liakat Ali Khan emphasised that inadequate enforcement against unauthorised vehicles exacerbates congestion. He stressed that only through proper parking arrangements and traffic management aligned with road capacity can the situation improve.
Civic organisations and residents advocate strict implementation of traffic laws, the allocation of designated parking spaces, and tighter control over unregulated vehicles. Jyoti Shankar Jhantu, President of the Rajbari Citizens’ Committee, warned that the inconsistent presence of e-bikes and rickshaws is severely disrupting urban life, calling for rigorous monitoring and enforcement.
With careful planning and coordinated action, Rajbari town has the potential to restore orderly traffic flow and safe commuting conditions for its residents.