The presence of public transport and other vehicles on Dhaka streets today (October 28) is relatively thin compared to other days, as tensions escalated surrounding the two big parties’ announced programs, causing immense commuting woes.

People who depend on public transport for their daily commute have been hit hard due to few vehicles on the roads.

Panic has gripped people over the scheduled rallies of BNP and Awami League in the capital.

Most are preferring to stay home unless they have any urgent work.

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Though the day is a government holiday, those who work in private organizations are facing severe commuting problems.

The number of private cars, rickshaws and other vehicles on the streets are also few.

Streets in Shanir Akhra, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Dholaipar, Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Gulistan, Purana Paltan, and Jatiya Press Club areas have few public transport.

Many were seen waiting for buses to reach their respective destinations.

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No long route buses left from Gulistan.

Contacted, Joint Commissioner (Traffic-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Abu Saleh Md Raihan told UNB that the number of vehicles including public buses is low compared to other days.

Mariful Hasan, who had to commute to his office in Mouchak from Shewrapara, said, “I boarded a bus from Shewrapara which dropped me at Bijoy Sarani. Getting no public transport at that point, I decided to walk to Farmgate. Later, I managed to board a bus to Mouchak.”

Like Mariful, Rahul, who also worked for a private company, said he had to change transport twice to reach his office from Keraniganj.

Kaniz Fatema said she took a CNG-run three wheeler from Narayanganj to her office in Dhaka due to the lack of public transport.

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Police and RAB personnel were seen patrolling the roads while a number of check-posts were set up to ensure security.

Thousands of law enforcers – police, RAB and other agencies – have been deployed in the capital city to prevent possible violence during the rallies.

AL and the BNP got permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold their rallies at their respective venues. Jamaat, however, did not get any go-ahead from DMP for their program.