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‘Baagh’ can revolutionise taxi concept in BD


Published : 06 Mar 2021 09:31 PM | Updated : 19 Apr 2021 06:51 AM

For the first time, a locally made brand of three-wheeler auto-rickshaw has been developed that fully complies with standards of safety regulations enforced by most developed nations.

“Baagh is my passion project and it is fully made in Bangladesh. I dream of doing something revolutionary for the country with this project,” said Kazi Zashimul Islam Bappi, President of Baagh Eco Motors.

While talking to Bangladesh Post the developer of Baagh Eco taxi said, “Baagh complies with all major safety regulations required by international standards and as a motor vehicle it is very efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly. In fact it is highly environment friendly vehicle.”

“Baagh, being assembled in Gazipur plant, is a three-wheeler hybrid electronic vehicle powered by a Lithium-ion battery that can sustain for seven years,” claimed Bappi.

The roof contains solar panels which stores energy to enable the vehicle to run for up to 40kms. It consists of sitting spaces for seven passengers, an entertainment unit screen, a 360-degree surveillance night vision camera, WIFI, and phone charging ports. 

Considering the number of accidents that occur in Bangladesh, the vehicle is equipped with AVS brake systems which can bring it to a halt within three feet. A ‘Panic Button’ is installed with a highlight to allow the riders or the driver to send an alert for security. During any emergency, pressing the button would automatically bring the vehicle’s speed down to 5 kilometres per hour and disable it for 20 minutes while alarming and notifying the security administrators. 

The concept of ‘Baagh’ started in 2018 when the widely used acid-based three-wheelers in Dhaka were banned because of being a major source of pollution. After use, the acid had to be dumped, immensely polluting the city’s water bodies and land. Hence, the idea of an environmentally friendly transport system emerged. 

“All the required safety testing has been performed and we have already obtained approval. I am now waiting for the permission for its registration procedure,” he mentioned. 

“While designing the vehicle we considered all safety aspects, including facing collision in an accident. The framework is designed so that it does not tumble due to its heavyweight. The security cameras set inside and outside means that the national security could use it as a reference because it will record everything that occurs while the vehicle is in operation,” Bappi explained. 

The maintenance cost for an autorickshaw run by a vehicle using CNG fuel or an ordinary sedan car is about five to ten thousand takas per month whereas the maintenance cost for this vehicle would be around Tk 500 on average. Comparing the fuel consumption efficiency, a conventional CNG-run vehicle has a cost of about Tk 3.00 per kilometre to travel whereas Baagh Eco taxi uses less than Tk 1.00 for the same distance. 

“I like to call the eco taxi the poor man’s Mercedes. That is how we are looking to market the vehicle. We want to attract lower-middle-class people, especially women. This is a Bangladeshi brand and starting from the material to assembling at the plant, all are done by local people,” said a smiling face Bappi.

The 50 existing models available are expected to commercially hit the streets by the end of April. The management of the project hopes that with the support of the Prime Minister, 30 thousand pieces of the vehicle could be launched within the next five months. 

Each such vehicle could cost Tk 4 and 6 lakhs in the market. According to Baagh Eco Motors, there are many other models of battery-powered vehicles starting from two-wheelers to pickup trucks.