BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the rally virtually as the chief guest at the three BNP affiliates' rally
Dhaka streets, including Motijheel, Paltan and Dainik Bangla intersection, and adjacent areas are experiencing severe traffic congestion ahead of a grand rally organised by three affiliated organisations of BNP — Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal.
Areas adjacent to Kakrail, Moghbazar, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Bijoynagar, and Fakirapool are also experiencing traffic slowdown due to the rally.
Leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations started gathering at Nayapaltan since morning.
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A traffic congestion in Shahbagh, Moghbazar, Banglamotor, and adjacent areas around 9am this morning (28 May) was linked to another event of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
"The congestion in Shahbagh occurred this morning due to a Jamaat rally. The traffic situation almost returned to normalcy after the rally ended. The slowdown in vehicular movement now is due to the upcoming BNP rally," said Mehedi Shakil, assistant commissioner (traffic) of the Shahbagh zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Nilima Faris, an office-goer, said she was stuck in a passing Moghbazar intersection for 40 minutes this morning.
Zara Tamanna, another office-goer, said she saw the InterContinental intersection blocked with a police barricade.
She reported seeing no vehicles being allowed to move towards Shahbagh from Banglamotor.
Meanwhile, many Dhaka residents posted on the Traffic Alert Facebook groups that vehicles were being diverted from the Shahbagh intersection.
Contacted, Shafiqul Islam, deputy commissioner of the Ramna Traffic Division, said the overall traffic situation was normal at the time.
"Since the rally is around 3pm, the Paltan area might witness increased pressure of vehicles from noon. We have kept additional forces on the roads so that congestion doesn't take place," he said.
Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani yesterday (27 May) said the organisers expect over 1.5 million participants to attend the rally of BNP affiliates.
The rally, titled "Rally for Establishing Youth Political Rights", will take place at BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, with a significant turnout expected.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the rally virtually as the chief guest.
Senior party leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed are also scheduled to attend the rally, among others.
