Every day, hundreds of thousands of commuters rely on medley of vehicles plying Dhaka’s roads to reach their destinations. But it looks bedlam on the city street increasingly overrun by unauthorised vehicles — legunas, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, microbuses, and private cars — operating without permits, fitness certificates, or licenced drivers.
According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Dhaka had 5,156 registered legunas plying 159 routes by the end of 2018. But with new route permits suspended, hundreds of illegal legunas continue to ply the streets, often under political protection and with little or no enforcement of rules from police or traffic authorities.
Field investigations reveal that from Hatirjheel to Karwran Bazar, about 58 microbuses and CNGs operate daily without approval. Most of them carry Dhaka, Gazipur, or Narayanganj number plates, charging passengers Tk 30 per trip — double the legal bus fare.
The route is allegedly controlled by a lineman named Al Amin, who collects illegal tolls in the name of police and traffic officials. Despite the existence of authorised circular bus services, unfit and unauthorised vehicles continue to dominate the route.
In the Goran and Banasree areas, around 106 CNGs and 35 legunas transport passengers daily to Khilgaon Railgate, Rampura Television Centre, and Bishnandi Ferry Ghat in Araihazar. Drivers said they pay Tk 400–430 daily in extortion money to linemen Mizanur Rahman, Amir, and Rakib.
Several busy routes, including Farmgate to Mirpur-2, New Market to Dhanmondi, and Shyamoli to Mirpur, are reportedly controlled by local political leaders and their associates. Passengers pay Tk 20–30, whereas on the same routes city buses charge only Tk 10–15. Locals allege that political backing prevents authorities from shutting these operations down.
In Tejgaon, Mirpur, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, leaders of BNP’s affiliated organisations — including Hasan Ali, Kamal Sarkar Shaheen, Faisal, and Baten — are accused of collecting Tk 550 daily from each vehicle. Following increased monitoring by the army, the extortion money is now collected directly from transport owners and not through linemen.
Sources claim that since August 5, 2024, several new, unfit legunas were added to the fleet on these routes allegedly under the umbrella of BNP leaders.
Under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), approximately 495 legunas run daily through Motijheel, RAJUK Bhaban, Kaptan Bazar, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Chawkbazar, Kamrangirchar, Hazaribagh, Chandighat, and Jurain. While the corporation collects Tk 60 per vehicle, and local political leaders and linemen demand an additional Tk 400–700 daily.
In Khilgaon, BNP leader Mosharraf reportedly collects Tk 700 per vehicle via Shahzana and Liton, while in Borpa, Narayanganj, BNP leader Babu and his aides allegedly collect Tk 400 per vehicle.
Between Sadarghat and Babubazar Bridge, about 133 legunas operate daily using expired registration papers and unsafe gas cylinders. Meanwhile, from Bosila Bridge, nearly 435 unauthorised CNGs carry passengers to Mainot Ghat, Kolatia, and Abdullahpur.
In Uttara, around 165 legunas run daily, with 130 operating between House Building and Diabari Metro Station. Each pays Tk 800 daily to a group led allegedly by Salahuddin, Kawsar, and Babu. Political figures including Dipu Sikder of the Chhatra League, Apu Sikder of the Jubo Dal, and expelled Jubo Dal leader Shimul Ahmed reportedly share these illegal collections.
Most drivers lack formal training or valid licences. Many started as helpers before taking the steering. After paying all expenses, drivers earn Tk 1,000–1,200 per day, according to lineman Salahuddin.
Illegal leguna stands at House Building regularly cause severe congestion, yet no effective action has been taken. Locals complain that commuters are forced to pay higher fares due to a shortage of legal transport.
Police occasionally conduct drives to seize illegal vehicles, but most of the vehicles return to roads after paying fines. Transport insiders have questioned the BRTA’s inaction, as unauthorised legunas continue operating for years without approval.
These illegal vehicles have also become a cover for criminal activities, including drug trafficking, theft, and robbery. Across the city, illegal vehicle stands generate hundreds of thousands of takas daily and shared among political leaders, police, linemen, and local influential, it is alleged.
The same scenario is visible in Narayanganj and Gazipur, where longevity expired private cars now transport passengers between Bishwaroad, Rupganj, Bhulta, and Gausia. Many of these vehicles are driven by unlicensed, untrained individuals, making their operation itself a criminal offence.
BRTA officials maintain that all leguna routes and stands have been officially closed since 2018, and converting mini pickup vans into legunas is a punishable offence. Drivers claim that many of these legunas are manufactured illegally in workshops in Gazipur and Narayanganj.
When contacted, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Zillur Rahman declined to comment and referred the matter to the Traffic Department’s Media Section.
However, Joint Commissioner (Traffic–South) Md Enamul Haque said efforts are underway to remove legunas gradually from the city, acknowledging that a sudden ban could increase plight of commuters and affect the livelihoods of workers. Attempts to reach Joint Commissioner (Traffic–North) Sufian Ahmed were unsuccessful.
As illegal transports continue to dominate Dhaka roads, residents question whether the law applies equally to all. With political protection and weak enforcement of law illegal vehicles not only undermine traffic discipline but, also endanger lives of people every single day.
Unauthorized vehicles on roads are not only a violation of law, but also a direct threat to public safety. According to Supreme Court lawyer Haider Robiul Hossain Robi, the responsibility does not lie solely with the drivers or owners — negligence by the traffic police and BRTA authorities is equally to blame.
Under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1983, operating an unapproved vehicle is a punishable offence, yet lax enforcement of law continues to fuel accidents. The administration must ensure strict monitoring and take immediate action to curb such violations.
Passengers, too, must remain vigilant, avoiding illegal or unsafe vehicles is their moral duty.
Only through a combination of law enforcement, policy implementation, and public awareness road safety can truly be ensured.
