Dhaka standstill as protest, festival trigger heavy traffic woes 

Dhaka almost ground to a halt, and commuters faced severe traffic congestion today due to multiple events, including student protests against the current quota system in the government job recruitment. 

After students started gatherings across the capital at 3pm and put up blockades at various points, the majority of Dhaka south witnessed a traffic nightmare.

Shahbagh, Neelkhet, Sciencelab, Banglamotor, Minto Road, Agargaon, Jigatla, Dhanmondi, Mirpur Road – these areas have almost come to a standstill, said Farhad Hossain, a Ramna Division sergeant.

Due to the anti-quota movement, the pressure of vehicles from Jahangir Gate, Bijoy Sarani, Mohakhali, Farmgate to Shahbagh, is quite high. The vehicles were not able to pass, said Ariful Islam Roni, assistant commissioner (Traffic) Mohakhali Zone.

Earlier, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) advised residents to keep extra time for travel as several major roads might be blocked due to the "Rath Jatra" Hindu festival and the "Bangla Blockade" protests against the quota system.

Adding to the congestion, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams are set to begin at 2:00pm today, coinciding with the first working day of the week.

Ariful Islam Rony, assistant commissioner of Mohakhali Traffic zone told TBS that amid all sorts of adversaries, a vehicle overturned on Moghbazar flyover this morning, and since then vehicular movement has come to a halt at Mogbazar Mohakhali road.

SM Mehedi Hasan, joint commissioner (South) of DMP's Traffic Division, said at a press conference this morning that a rally for the Hindu community's Rath Jatra celebration would traverse many of Dhaka's roads.

"Significant events like the ongoing anti-quota movement are expected to exacerbate traffic congestion in the city," he noted.

"We try to give advance warnings about traffic movement. Traffic conditions in Dhaka change with different programs. Sunday is the first working day of the week, and traffic movement is higher compared to other days," said Hasan. 

"Today, there is the Rath Jatra of the Hindu community, starting from Swamibagh ISKCON temple and ending at Lalbagh. Devotees from various parts of Dhaka will travel to Old Dhaka for the Rath Jatra," he added.

Regarding the ongoing anti-quota movement, Hasan mentioned, "For several days, there has been a student movement against quotas. As a result, traffic congestion is likely to increase in Old Dhaka, Ramna, Motijheel, Shahbagh, Dhanmondi, Gulistan, Lalbagh, and Wari areas from this evening. We request those travelling in these areas to start their journeys with ample time in hand."

Discussing the measures against persistent traffic jams, Hasan said, "We have undertaken several initiatives to address permanent traffic congestion. The situation at Mohakhali bus terminal has improved compared to two months ago. We enforce laws uniformly for motorcycles, private cars, and buses."

However, he emphasised that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, stating, "We have about 3,000 personnel enforcing laws on two crore people. There is a need for awareness among road users. If they are aware, we do not have to face this situation.