Dhaka faces heavy traffic congestion amid BNP rally, student protest
DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Sarwar said, “BNP activists began gathering in the Kakrail area from various parts of the capital. There is severe congestion in Shantinagar, Paltan, and Shahbagh areas due to the rally.”
Several key roads in the capital saw severe traffic congestion today (6 August), causing significant suffering for commuters throughout the day.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), the disruption was caused by a combination of factors, including student protest, road blockades, and political programmes.
Around 12:45pm, students from the seven colleges blocked the busy Science Lab intersection as part of a protest. Vehicular movement came to a complete halt in the area, creating gridlock on nearby roads.
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The students cleared the road after about 30 minutes, allowing traffic to resume.
In the afternoon, traffic worsened further for the BNP's scheduled "Victory Rally" commemorating the first anniversary of the July uprising. The rally began at 3pm in front of the party's central office in Naya Paltan.
Speaking to The Business Standard, DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Sarwar said, "BNP activists began gathering in the Kakrail area from various parts of the capital. There is severe congestion in Shantinagar, Paltan, and Shahbagh areas due to the rally."
He added, "Earlier in the morning, one group held a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in Gulshan, while another organised a protest in Shahbagh. As a result of all these programmes, traffic movement has slowed in several parts of the city."
Deputy Commissioner of Motijheel Traffic Division Jalal Dewan told TBS, "We are trying to keep at least one lane open in each direction."
