Cumilla City Corporation has taken an initiative to regulate the number of battery-powered auto-rickshaws operating in the city.

Administrator of the city corporation, Yusuf Molla Tipu, announced that a maximum of 10,000 auto-rickshaws will be officially permitted to operate under a formal policy.

The announcement was made this afternoon during a consultation meeting on the city corporation's infrastructure development projects.

According to the city corporation sources, around 48,000 battery-powered auto-rickshaws are currently operating across the city.

Speaking on the matter, the Cumilla administrator said the registration process for auto-rickshaws will begin next week. Registered vehicles will be fitted with special license plates imported from China.

He added that anyone found operating an auto-rickshaw with a fake licence plate would face strict legal action through mobile court operations.

Responding to a question from journalists about whether he was under any political pressure regarding the decision, Yusuf said there was no political pressure. He added that politics should fundamentally serve the welfare of the people.

The meeting was also attended by Cumilla City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Md Mamun, Executive Engineer Abu Sayeem Bhuiyan, and other concerned officials.