Commuters suffer as lockdown sends buses off roads

Employees of public and private offices in the capital suffered amid the lack of public transports on Monday as a nationwide general lockdown was imposed again to curb the surge in Covid-19.

They rode rickshaws, private and office vehicles, and CNG-run autorickshaws or walked to reach their destinations.

Several roads were packed with cars, CNG-run autorickshaws, motorcycles, and rickshaws.

Traffic Inspector Akhlasur Rahman, who was on duty at the Technical intersection, said police ensured that restrictions were being followed strictly. 

Office-bound staff vehicles and those carrying patients and involved in emergency services were allowed to operate only, he said.

He said police monitored staff bus and emergency service vehicles so that they could not carry normal passengers.

Police also checked whether people on roads followed hygiene rules, he added.

Md Rana, who works at a private company, went to his office in Mohammadpur from Badda. He said he did not face any big hassle to reach his destination.

But on his way, he saw many people walking to their destinations and some even waited for public transports.

People also suffered as they had to pay extra fares to ride CNG-run autorickshaws and rickshaws.

Moksudul Islam, who went to Birdem hospital from Kalyanpur for his mother's treatment, said he had to pay higher fares as there was no public transport.

"Such a lockdown is of no use to the poor like us. We are suffering as public transports are suspended," he added.

Asked why he came out of his house amid the lockdown, motorcycle rider Shafayet said he was offering ride sharing to earn money.

He said he was a kindergarten teacher but now he had to do this due to school closure amid the pandemic.

"Now, even though there is a lockdown, the poor like us need to come out to earn livelihoods for us and our families," he said.

Although big shopping malls and markets were closed, neighbourhood markets and shops were open like before. No social distance was maintained.

There was no strict activity of law enforcement agencies in Karwan Bazar, Bangla Motor, Shahbagh, and Katabon. No additional checkpoints were set up there either.

Traffic Sergeant of the zone Morshedul Islam told The Business Standard they had set up new checkpoints in some areas of the capital.

He said police were initially warning the public while the number of vehicles and people on roads seemed to have decreased significantly.

"If the government imposes more restrictions, we will be stricter," he added.

Meanwhile, people continued to leave Dhaka ignoring hygiene rules. Those bound for southern districts took the Shimulia-Banglabazar route to travel home.

According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation sources, 14 ferries operated on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route while over 500 vehicles waited to cross the terminal.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Munshiganj district police Sumon Dev said there were two checkpoints at Shimulia ghat so that vehicles could get on the ferry in a queue.

Checkpoints at Shimulia ghat were also set up to handle crowds, he said.

The government on Sunday announced that all modes of public transports would remain shut from Monday.

It said shopping malls, markets, tourism centres, resorts, and community and recreation centres would remain closed as well.