CNG drivers’ demonstration brought traffic to a standstill in the capital’s Mohakhali area on Monday afternoon, causing immense suffering to commuters.  The drivers staged the protests on Mohakhali-Banani road to press home their various demands at 12:30 pm, halting vehicular movement on the busy road, said Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Russell Sarwar. Police foil protesters’ march towards Home Ministry The protesters gathered in front of the Mohakhali BRTA building to voice their various demands including ‘arbitrary detention’ of CNG-run auto-rickshaws and easing restrictions on parking.  The demonstration concluded around 2 pm, after which traffic started returning to normal, said the OC. Alia Madrasa students block roads protesting court set-up on field

Sallahuddin Babu, a 47-year-old private bank official, was walking through the C Block of Banasree towards Rampura on the 31st of December when he abandoned his auto-rickshaw midway, frustrated by the unbearable traffic jam that highlighted the capital’s transformation. "Originally planned as a residential area, Banasree has seen its character transform over time. Today, the neighbourhood is overrun with schools, restaurants, hospitals and various businesses, developed haphazardly. This unplanned growth has significantly deteriorated the quality of the living environment," lamented a frustrated Sallahuddin. Experts suggest that it is not just Banasree; even prestigious areas such as Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Baridhara, and Banani have lost their residential identity. Mohammadpur and Wari, once known for their residential nature, are now congested urban areas. Few buildings in Dhaka’s residential areas are purely residential anymore. Urban planners argue that residential areas are meant to provide more than just a place to sleep. They must meet people's basic needs, be environmentally and health-conscious, and ensure that the noise and commercial activities are limited. Unfortunately, complaints from urban experts highlight the failure to maintain these essential qualities in Dhaka’s residential zones. Aminul Islam Sujon, treasurer of the Environment Save Movement (Paba), commented on this issue: "Many areas, initially developed as residential zones, have now turned into mixed-use and commercial spaces. For instance, Dhanmondi has become a mixed-use area, and it can no longer be called a purely residential area." Historically, the development of residential areas such as Uttara in the early 1980s followed a specific residential plan. Some areas, particularly those farther from main roads, are still residential, while regions like Bashundhara have seen a blend of residential and commercial developments. Gulshan, known for its upmarket character, also has areas close to main roads that have become commercial. About 3 dozen high-rise buildings in South Florida are sinking Sujon stresses that a residential area should cater to all essential aspects of daily life, including accessible food, water, sanitation, electricity, open spaces and public facilities for leisure, sports, and shopping. The key, according to him, is for these areas to maintain a balance of commercial activity without compromising the living conditions of residents. Only then can a residential area be considered complete and of high quality. Sujon, however, points out that the shortage of quality residential areas in Dhaka is becoming more pronounced, compounded by the lack of coordination between government bodies like Rajuk (Dhaka's Development Authority), city corporations, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), and other related ministries. Concern mounts as Chandpur lacks proper fire equipment amid violation of building code Adil Mohammad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), echoed similar sentiments, stressing that a "home is a sweet home," and for a place to be considered a residential area, it should offer protection from hazards such as fire and noise. The Rise of Mixed-Use and Commercial Developments Dhaka’s transformation from residential to mixed-use and commercial areas has been noted by urban planners like Professor Adil Mohammad Khan of Jahangirnagar University’s Urban and Regional Planning Department. According to him, the first planned residential area in Dhaka was Wari, followed by Dhanmondi, Banani and Gulshan. In modern times, Uttara was also planned as a residential area. Mixed-use areas, where residential, commercial, and industrial functions coexist, are a growing trend in Dhaka. Adil Khan explained that mixed-use development was once confined to areas like Motijheel and Dilkusha, but now even residential zones like Gulshan have incorporated commercial activities along major roads. This transformation is primarily driven by the growing needs of residents, he believes. He added that, traditionally, commercial activity was allowed in residential areas only for essential services such as small grocery stores or medical facilities. But the unregulated commercialisation of residential zones, particularly with the approval of high-rise buildings, has led to issues like traffic congestion, reduced living quality and even fire hazards. Over-commercialisation: A Dangerous Trend The issue of over-commercialisation in residential areas has escalated with the approval of multi-storey buildings and commercial establishments in areas like Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Banani.  

Garment factory workers once again staged a protest by blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway in Ashulia on Thursday morning, causing serious traffic congestion over a 3-kilometre stretch of the busy road. Officials and police said the workers of GAB Ltd under the Shahriar Garments section took to the streets, demanding the removal of a senior official. This protest comes just days after a previous demonstration where the workers had raised multiple demands, which the factory authorities initially agreed to meet. Unrest flares up at 10 factories in Gazipur; Dhaka-Mymensingh highway blocked However, tensions flared again as the workers accused the factory management of reneging on their promises.  

An eight kilometer long tailback has been created on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Narayanganj following excessive rainfall, causing suffering to commuters. Women, children, office-goers and students were the worst sufferers. Many office-goers were seen heading towards their destinations on foot amid the rain as vehicles got stranded on both sides of the highway. Locals said the traffic gridlock started on Wednesday night after the heavy rainfall that submerged some parts of the highway, resulting in an eight km jam stretching from Siddhirganj’s Sanarpara to Bandar’s Keodhala area. One Gafur Hossain, who got stuck in the traffic jam, said he boarded a bus from Shani Akhra at 7am to go to office. The bus could reach Kanchpur Bridge and then it got stranded due to long tailback. “Today I missed the office.” Read: City dwellers suffer amid unusual traffic jams  Another passenger Abdur Rahim alleged that said there have been no efforts by the law enforcement agencies to restore discipline on the road. “I have been stranded in a traffic jam since the morning. The bus in which I am travelling took around one hour to reach the Kanchpur Bridge from the Mouchhak bus stand,” he said. Abu Nayeem, traffic inspector of Kanchpur highway police station, said the traffic gridlock was created after some vehicles went out of order in Keodhala and Langalbandha areas on the waterlogged road and movement of vehicles from the opposite direction. Read more: Bangabazar Market fire in Dhaka causes huge traffic jam “We have already removed some vehicles from the highway and efforts are on to remove the rest,” he said, adding that they have been facing trouble in performing duty due to heavy rain. Several teams have been working to reduce the traffic jam, he said hoping that the normalcy on the road will return soon.

If the highway renovation work in Sirajganj is not completed soon, there are chances of massive traffic jam, and homebound Eid holiday makers would have to endure extreme difficulties. As construction work on the highway continues, district police have identified 14 high-risk areas. Proposals have been submitted to the authorities concerned for the renovation of 20 bridges spanning about 51 km of the Chandaikona highway from the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge to Hatikumrul. There is risk of severe traffic congestion at the 14 high-risk points. Every year before Eid, all the vehicles carrying homebound commuters pass through the Bangabandhu Bridge-West Highway. As a result, there is extra pressure on this highway. Read More: Advance sale of train tickets for Eid travellers starts Friday It is expected that the roads on this route will be repaired by the second week of this month. Bus and truck drivers, in particular, say that if the work on the highway is completed, there will be relief during Eid journey. People of 16 districts of north Bangladesh use this highway to go home from Dhaka during Eid. Every day, 16,000 to 20,000 vehicles use this highway, and during Eid, 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles ply it. Work is underway to widen and repair the four-lane highway – connecting the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge. It has already caused traffic congestion and slow movement on the highway. Besides, the north lane of the newly constructed Nalka Bridge has been opened, but the Dhaka-facing lane has been closed. Traffic is moving through the risky old bridge. The contractor, Akhter JV Project’s Manager Ekhlas Uddin said that discussions have already been held with the Sirajganj Superintendent of Police. Read More: Special train service on Joyedbpur-Panchagarh route for RMG workers for Eid: BR On the highway, potholes will be repaired soon. New four-lane roads have been opened in different parts of the highway. Officials of the local Roads and Highways Department said the renovation work on the risky points on the highway has been supervised. Badrul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said two rounds of discussions were held among the district police, officials of SASEC-2, and officials of the contractor company. They have assured to complete the repair work soon. On the occasion of Eid, 10 mobile teams and 16 picket teams will work on the highway. In addition, mikes and digital sign will be installed. Sirajganj Traffic Inspector (Administration) Salekuzzaman Khan said they spoke to the district police regarding ensuring smooth flow of traffic before Eid. There will be 15 to 18 mobile teams on the highway. Work has already started to ease the traffic congestion. Senior police officials mentioned that arrangements have been made to make the Eid journey of the homebound people uninterrupted. Read More: Eid journey: Nat’l Committee demands bike ban on highways for 9 days

The devastating fire that broke out at Bangabazar market in Dhaka on Tuesday (April 04, 2023) morning caused an unusual traffic jam around the market area due to the closure of adjacent roads. Fire service, police, RAB, army, air force and navy are trying to extinguish the blaze that broke out around 6:10 am. Read More: Bangabazar fire: Shahidul, Moinuddin watch their businesses go up in flames Jayita Das, senior assistant police commissioner of DMP Traffic Lalbagh Zone, said that traffic movement in the adjacent areas has been stopped to ease the fire control activities. Traffic movement has been closed and limited on the roads in front of the High Court-Gulistan, Banga Bazar, Golap Shah Mazar police headquarters to Dhaka Medical, he added. This instruction about traffic movement will remain in force in this area until the situation turns normal, said the officer adding that general public are requested to use alternative roads. Read More: Fire at Bangabazar market still raging

Dhaka commuters have been stuck in massive traffic jam since this morning (January 12, 2023) as a 22km long tailback has formed from Tongi Bridge to Moghbazar in the city. The gridlock stretched from Tongi Bridge-Abdullahpur-Airport to Mohakhali-Moghbazar areas of Dhaka — causing untold sufferings for commuters.  Vehicular movement in parts of Dhaka came to a standstill for hours due to the huge pressure of Ijtema-bound vehicles in Tongi. Read More: Air quality: Dhaka world’s 3rd most polluted city this morning

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have requested commuters to avoid the route from Khilkhet through Uttara to Gazipur today (October 25, 2022), due to a long tailback. Uttara Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued an alert, saying that heavy rains induced by the Cyclone Sitrang has caused waterlogging at different points in Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh road. Read Dhaka office-goers stuck in gridlock, traffic jam from Khilkhet to Abdullahpur Due to the big holes in the road and waterlogging, vehicle movement from Khilkhet through Uttara to Mohakhali has been seriously disrupted, it said. In this situation, commuters are requested to not use the Khilkhet-Uttara-Gazipur route unless urgent.

Different roads in Dhaka went under water due to heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Sitrang, causing traffic gridlock that left no options for commuters but to suffer terribly. Md Omar Faruq, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Metrological Department, told UNB that 255 mm rains were recorded in 24 hours till 6 am on Tuesday (October 25, 2022). As Sitrang hit the country’s coastal areas on Monday (October 24, 2022) night, nearly all parts of Bangladesh including the capital experienced heavy rains and storm that uprooted trees or killed people and disconnected power transmission lines. Read Cyclone Sitrang: Dhaka-Khulna & Dhaka-Barishal highways reopen after 10 hours City Corporation workers were seen removing uprooted trees from Dhaka roads in the morning. Office-goers and others remained stuck on roads for hours in the morning as traffic movement was slow due to waterlogging.

Commuters in Dhaka have been stuck for hours in traffic jam today (September 13, 2022). Rain, that started from the morning, caused traffic chaos in several points of Dhaka, including Tongi, Uttara, Airport, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani and Bangla Motor areas. Vehicles were seen stalled for hours on the road. Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Uttara Division, Nafiz Kamal Shoibal, said a one-km long tailback was seen from Munno Gate to Milgate area in Tongi and a number of vehicles were passing through with caution due to the dilapidated condition of the road. Potholes have formed on the road due to the ongoing work of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Read: Launch school bus services to reduce traffic: DNCC Mayor