Traffic suspended on key Dhaka roads for Independence Day

Dhaka is set to host a series of programmes tomorrow (26 March) to mark Independence and National Day, prompting special traffic arrangements across key parts of the capital.

The day will begin with a ceremonial parade at the National Parade Square in the morning, followed by a courtesy meeting with the president at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.

The events are expected to be attended by the president, the prime minister, cabinet members, foreign diplomats, senior officials, and leaders of various organisations. In the evening, a concert is scheduled at Manik Mia Avenue.

Traffic around National Parade Square

To manage vehicular movement during the parade, the Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued special directives for several major roads.

The directives were announced in a public notice signed today (25 March) by acting DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar.

The parade at National Parade Square will take place from 10am to 12:30pm. Vehicular movement around the venue will be restricted from 7am to 12:30pm.

Only vehicles carrying invited guests with authorised stickers will be allowed.

All other vehicles will be barred from using Begum Rokeya Sarani (from Agargaon Light Crossing to Urojahaj Crossing), the road adjacent to the Prime Minister's Office (Bir Uttam Maj Gen Azizur Rahman Road), Syed Mahbub Morshed Road (from Shishumela Crossing to Agargaon Crossing), and the stretch from July Revolution Memorial Museum (old Ganabhaban) to Urojahaj Crossing.

Alternative routes have been designated for general commuters. Vehicles from Jahangir Gate will be diverted via the western side of the Prime Minister's Office to Agargaon Light Crossing, while traffic heading to BICC will use Bijoy Sarani, Urojahaj Crossing, and Lake Road before connecting to Mirpur Road.

Vehicles from Mirpur-10 bound for Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Dhanmondi, and New Market via Begum Rokeya Sarani will be redirected through Shishumela and Mirpur Road.

Vehicles from Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani will be diverted via Khejurbagan and Manik Mia Avenue. Traffic from Dhanmondi heading to Kazipara, Shewrapara, and Mirpur-10 will move via Mirpur Road and Technical Intersection.

Vehicles travelling from Mirpur, Shyamoli, and Shishumela towards Mohakhali via Bir Uttam Maj Gen Azizur Rahman Road will instead use Mirpur Road, Manik Mia Avenue, Khejurbagan, Farmgate, and Bijoy Sarani.

Traffic around Bangabhaban

A courtesy meeting with the President at Bangabhaban will take place from 4pm to 5:30pm. To facilitate the event, from 2pm to 5:30pm, only vehicles carrying invited guests with authorised stickers will be allowed in the vicinity.

All other vehicles will be restricted from Abrar Fahad Avenue (from the eastern end of Zero Point Crossing to Gulistan Chattar Crossing), DIT Road (from Gulistan Chattar Crossing to Rajuk Crossing), DIT Road (from the southern end of Dainik Bangla Crossing to Rajuk Crossing), Fazle Rabbi Road (from the south-eastern edge of Shahid Matiur Rahman Park near Ahad Police Box to the western end of Joy Kali Mandir Crossing), and Dilkusha Road (via Aliko Gap, Pubali Bank Gap, Pubali Petrol Pump Gap, City Centre Gap, 24-Tala Gap, and Rajuk Crossing Gap).

Alternative routes for general traffic have been arranged. Vehicles from Abdul Ghani Road, except guest vehicles, will turn left at UBL Crossing and proceed towards Dainik Bangla-Shapla Chattar.

Traffic from Fulbaria-Golap Shah Mazar will move via Zero Point through UBL Crossing, Nightingale, and Rajmoni.

Vehicles from Mayor Hanif Flyover will proceed via Zero Point, UBL, Golap Shah, and High Court. Vehicles from UBL heading to Gulistan will travel via Zero Point, Golap Shah, Fulbaria, and Tanti Bazar.

Traffic from Aliko Gap towards Rajuk Crossing will move via Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla, and UBL.

Some vehicles from Hanif Flyover will take a U-turn to exit via the outgoing lanes, while others will use Shahid Abrar Fahad Avenue towards Zero Point, UBL, Golap Shah, and High Court.

Vehicles from Joy Kali Mandir Crossing heading to Gulistan will turn left at Ettefaq Crossing via Shapla Chattar and Dainik Bangla.

Traffic from Fakirapul and Motijheel City Centre will move via Dainik Bangla, UBL, and Shapla Chattar.

Traffic around Manik Mia Avenue

The Independence Day concert at Manik Mia Avenue will be held from 6pm to 11:30pm. Consequently, all vehicular movement along Manik Mia Avenue – from Arong Crossing (west) to Khejurbagan Crossing (east) – will be suspended from 5pm to 11:30pm.

Alternative routes have been designated. Vehicles from Shyamoli-Mohammadpur towards Farmgate-Bijoy Sarani will use Lake Road via Urojahaj Crossing. Traffic from Shahbagh-Sonargaon heading to Mirpur Road will proceed via Farmgate-Bijoy Sarani, Urojahaj Crossing, Lake Road, and Mirpur Road.

Elevated Expressway traffic will bypass Manik Mia Avenue via Khejurbagan Crossing, Urojahaj Crossing, Lake Road, and Mirpur Road. Vehicles from Dhanmondi-New Market will move via Ganabhaban Crossing, Lake Road, and Urojahaj Crossing.

Vehicles travelling from Mirpur Road to Dhanmondi-New Market will proceed directly without U-turns on Manik Mia Avenue.

The DMP has urged commuters to follow all traffic directives and plan their journeys to avoid inconvenience during today's Independence and National Day programmes.