Dhaka traffic
Traffic alert: Outbound passengers urged to start early for Dhaka airport
Authorities of Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project (BRT, Gazipur-Airport) has requested outbound passengers – going to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport – to start early, between 6pm today and 6am Sunday.
A press release, signed by ASM Ilias Shah, project director, made the request to avoid possible traffic congestion during the abovementioned period.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Company Ltd authorities requested commuters in the capital not to use the route from Khilkhet through airport to Uttara during the same period.
Read more: Traffic alert: Dhaka commuters urged to avoid Airport-Uttara route from tomorrow till Sunday morning
The move came as traffic situation on the Dhaka Airport-Uttara route is expected to worsen due to development work of the BRT project.
Special road development work for the BRT project will be conducted in the Dhaka airport area during November 24 and 27, said a special traffic advisory signed by ASM Ilias Shah, project director of BRT.
Under the circumstances, all public and private vehicles were advised to avoid Dhaka Airport-Uttara route during this period.
Read more: Traffic movement to be restricted at Dhaka Cantonment Monday
Ridesharing bikers, shop owners block Dhaka roads in protest
App-based ridesharing bikers and shop owners brought traffic movement to a grinding halt in parts of Dhaka Wednesday, protesting the government's restriction order on their services amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases.
The pedestrians said bikers of ridesharing services gathered at Moghbazar intersection at noon and staged a protest demanding an end to the ban on their services during the weeklong restriction on movement of people and transport.
Traffic came to a standstill at that time as the angry bikers began to protest. Later, they tried to take position in front of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters but failed as police gave chase to disperse them.
Also read: Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases
Earlier, the bikers gathered at the Mohakhali area at around 11am and demonstrated on the streets, causing traffic congestion from Mohakhali to Bangladesh Navy Headquarters in Banani.
When contacted, an on-duty traffic inspector of the Mohakhali area told UNB that cases were filed against
ridesharing bikers as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) imposed restrictions on bike ridesharing services until Apr 14 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Also read: Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services
The BRTA has banned all ridesharing services for 15-days from Thursday to prevent the Covid-19 spread.
Meanwhile, shop owners and employees of the Bangabazar area blocked the streets of Gulistan in the morning, demanding immediate reopening of shops and markets.
Witnesses said protestors hurled brick chips at police as the law enforcement tried to disperse them.
Also read: No motorcycle ride-sharing from Thursday
Traffic came to a halt at Gulistan area at that time. At one stage, police dispersed the demonstrators.
Earlier, the government announced the lifting of ban on public transport in city corporation areas from Wednesday, amid the nationwide lockdown.
The move sparked anger among other commercial sectors and ridesharing bikers across the city.
Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services
Traffic bustle returned to Dhaka with the resumption of city bus services on Wednesday, the third day of the seven-day countrywide lockdown.
In the wake of commuters’ sufferings, the government allowed public transports to resume their operations in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur and Mymensigh city corporation areas from 6am to 6pm every day.
The relaxation has brough some sort of relief for commuters, vendors, traders and retailers who had suffered during the last two days for lack of public transports.
“This is good! It has enabled us to move easily in the city. But maintaining health protocols still remains a problem. People are reluctant,” said Shafiqul Islam, a private firm executive.
But, he said, with the resumption of public transport service, Dhaka got back its usual traffic chaos and sound pollution though the volume of vehicles was relatively low.
Although mass transports were relatively thin on the streets, traffic jams were seen in areas like Moghbazar, Banani and Gulistan areas.
City traffic to be regulated from March 26 to 27: DMP
Traffic on various important and main roads of the capital will be controlled and remain closed for some time on March 26 and 27, the Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said on Wednesday.
It said the step has been taken to facilitate the movement of invited foreign guests and the VVIPs on the occasion of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and Golden Jubilee of Independence.
Meanwhile, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Srilankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering have already joined the celebration of the two mega events.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on March 26 to attend the twin celebrations of Mujib Borsho and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
He will also visit Bangabandhu Memorial in Tungipara, Matua community in Kashiani, and a temple in Satkhira on March 27 before holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.