The Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued traffic guidelines ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Members of Parliament (MP) and the newly formed cabinet, scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
The swearing-in of the newly elected MPs will take place at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, while members of the new cabinet will take oath at the South Plaza of the parliament complex.
A large gathering is expected in and around the Parliament area throughout the day, forcing the authorities to impose restrictions in some key points from 8am to 7pm.
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The DMP has requested all drivers to avoid Manik Mia Avenue and Lake Road from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Feb 17 and to follow the diversion instruction to avoid traffic congestion.
The vehicular movement will remain restricted from Khejur Bagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue and along Lake Road from July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum to Urojahaj Crossing during the event.
To minimise temporary inconvenience caused by traffic control measures, DMP’s Traffic Division has arranged diversions to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
Diversion points and alternative routes:
Mirpur Road to Farmgate via Manik Mia Avenue:
Vehicles coming from the northern parts via Mirpur Road towards Farmgate/Sonargaon will proceed through Defence Gap and proceed through China Friendship Conference Center–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing towards Farmgate.
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Dhanmondi to Farmgate:
Vehicles from Dhanmondi 27 will move via Asad Gate–Defence Gap, turn right towards the conference center–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing and then right towards Farmgate Crossing.
Asad Gate to Farmgate Crossing:
From Asad Gate, vehicles will turn left towards Ganabhaban Crossing (July Smriti Jadughar), proceed to Defence Gap, then turn right towards the conference center–Urojahaj Crossing–Bijoy Sarani Crossing and finally right towards Farmgate Crossing.
Elevated Expressway/Indira Road to Dhanmondi:
Vehicles coming from the Elevated Expressway or Indira Road will move via Khejur Bagan Crossing, turn right towards Urojahaj Crossing, then left towards the conference center, left again at Defence Gap and proceed via Asad Gate to Dhanmondi.
Mirpur Road to Dhanmondi:
As the blockade on Manik Mia Avenue will be lifted, southbound vehicles from Mirpur Road will travel via Shyamoli–Shishu Mela–Ganabhaban (July Uprising Memorial Museum)–Asad Gate towards Dhanmondi 27.
Elevated Expressway:
To avoid congestion during the ceremony, commuters are advised to use the FDC (Hatirjheel) ramp instead of the Farmgate exit ramp.