Gridlock brings parts of Dhaka to a standstill
Due to large gatherings around Suhrawardy Udyan, traffic in the surrounding areas came to a standstill, causing severe disruptions across the city
Gridlocks brought parts of Dhaka to a standstill ahead of a rally called by the Islamic group Ulama Mashayekh Bangladesh at the capital's Suhrawary Udyan today (5 November).
Due to the large gatherings around the Suhrawardy Udyan venue, traffic in the surrounding areas came to a standstill, causing severe disruptions throughout the city.
Our correspondents have reported severe traffic congestion in the Dhaka Elevated Expressway's exit ramp near BFDC, Moghbazar, Sat Rasta intersection, Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, Shahbagh, Kakrail intersection and surrounding areas.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"This is just a nightmare. I don't know what they wish to achieve in future through this rally, but their programme is costing the commuters precious time right now," said Tamim, a frustrated office-goer stuck in the jam along with hundreds of others in the Khamarbari area.
"Who will pay for our loss?" he asked.
Abdur Rahman, an office-goer, said, "This happens every time someone holds a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan or demonstrates by blocking the Shahbagh intersection. General people suffer every time, but the organisers of these rallies or conferences — political parties or whatever — don't really care.
"Can't there be any alternative at all?" he added as the CNG-run auto-rickshaw he's in sat idle in a sea of vehicles in the Farmgate area.
The rally that was scheduled to begin at 9am this morning (5 November), will be attended by 41 Islamic leaders of the country, including Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, Allama Khalil Ahmad Kasemi, Allama Abdul Hameed, as per a statement sent to media on Sunday (3 November).
The statement called on Islamic leaders and devotees to join the rally.
Since early this morning, in different locations of the city people were seen walking to the venue to attend the conference.
Empty buses bringing people to Dhaka to attend the rallies were also parked on the roads near the venue.
Metro stations also witnessed an upsurge of passengers since the morning.
Due to the large gatherings around the Suhrawardy Udyan venue, traffic in the surrounding areas came to a standstill, causing severe disruptions throughout the city.
