Unauthorised, makeshift vending outlets erected on the sidewalks are adding to the problem of traffic congestion which has started increasing with the passing of every day leading to the holy Eid.The congestion is particularly severe in Shahbagh, Farmgate, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Banani, Badda, Moghbazar and Mouchak, where people remained stuck in stalled vehicles for a long while on Monday.
People on their way home after work routinely suffer this ordeal before iftar.
The traffic congestion is compounded every time VIPs move through the city. At times, cars stand immobile in one place for as long as half an hour.
Thousands of cars were seen stuck around 10am on Monday on the road Paltan-Farmgate road via Mohakhali.
“The Prime Minister was on her way to the Secretariat. So the area around Ramna and the road leading to the Secretariat were closed for security reasons,” Sub Inspector of the Shahbagh Police Station, Sabuj Uddin, told bdnews24.com. “There was a big traffic snarl there at that time.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended a regular Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday.
Commuters had a harrowing time because of the traffic congestion. Shafiul Islam, travelling in a bus, was stuck in front of Shikkha Bhaban for a long time.
“It has already been two hours. God only knows when I will reach Gabtoli,” he told bdnews24.com.
Heavy traffic was also seen in front of the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel since this morning.
“There is traffic congestion because of VIP movement,” said Abdur Rahman, a traffic inspector stationed in front of the hotel. He expected the flow to be normal soon.
Tuhin Ahmed, a banker travelling from Mirpur to Paltan, said, “It took a long time reach office today. I don’t know how long I can put up with this.”
Traffic Sergeant of Nawabpur Siddik Bazar, Md Forkan Hossain told bdnews24.com that push-carts and rickshaws are slowing down traffic in Old Dhaka.
“Eid will arrive soon, so people are on a shopping spree,” he said. “There are more rickshaws and push-carts on the roads now, adding to traffic problems.” – bdnews24.com
