Drivers of banned autorickshaws have once again taken to several streets of Dhaka to press home their 11-point demand, including obtaining licences from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to operate on city streets. Commuters, particularly those travelling for emergencies, faced severe difficulties reaching their destinations as protesters blocked several roads, including those near the Jatiya Press Club (JPC), Jatrabari, Beribadh, and Tin Raster Morr. According to UNB reporters, hundreds of drivers gathered at Beribadh, one of Dhaka’s entry points, this morning and marched towards the JPC in a procession. Besides, drivers from other parts of Dhaka converged at the JPC and staged a sit-in programme to press their demands. The blockade in front of the JPC caused numerous vehicles to remain stranded, leading to immense suffering for commuters. Read: Traffic chaos in Dhaka as battery-run rickshaw drivers block streets The protesters declared they would continue their movement until their demands are met, which include obtaining licences from the BRTA, recognition of their vehicles as public transport, and the release of those arrested so far. Officer-in-charge of Mohammadpur Police Station Ali Iftekhar Hasan said that the drivers blockaded the roads without valid reasons on Sunday.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam has pointed to illegal vehicles and frequent street programmes as key contributors to the severe traffic congestion plaguing Dhaka. Speaking at the launch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) traffic week at the Rajarbagh Police Lines on Monday, the adviser acknowledged that the government has struggled to provide sufficient public transport for citizens. Govt increased funding for Puja by nearly two-fold: Home Adviser He stressed that the lack of an organized traffic system is further complicated by the presence of numerous non-motorized vehicles, such as rickshaws and handcarts, which people rely on for their daily needs. “This mix of motorized and non-motorized vehicles on the same roads makes it increasingly difficult to implement a well-organized traffic system in Dhaka,” he said. Alam also noted that various public demands, such as street protests and gatherings, have disrupted road discipline, adding to the unbearable traffic congestion. Reflecting on the broader traffic issues, the adviser cited a collapse in the traffic system nationwide following the fall of the previous fascist government. "Student activists played a key role in restoring some order on the roads," he said. "Since the formation of the current interim government, we’ve been working closely with police and civil society to address Dhaka's traffic challenges." Alam revealed that the DMP's traffic division has begun taking legal action against illegal vehicles, though he admitted that significant improvements have yet to be realized. He also mentioned that a research team is working on reactivating traffic signals, with both government and non-governmental organizations collaborating to ensure their operational status soon. The adviser emphasized the shared responsibility of drivers, traffic police, and citizens in managing traffic congestion. "Solving this problem cannot be done by the government or police alone. We need the cooperation of city residents," he stated. Alam announced that starting tomorrow, 300 students will join forces with traffic police to help manage congestion, with plans to increase their numbers gradually. The event was chaired by DMP Commissioner Mainul Hasan, and attended by several notable figures, including Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on Defense and National Cohesion Development Lt. Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Moinul Islam.

Youth and Sports Affairs Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Wednesday stressed the need for building social awareness to restore order on the streets. “We could not yet create awareness among our people. You should abide by traffic rules and laws. We don’t follow traffic light signals in most cases. We will have to build social awareness in this regard,” he said. The adviser made the remark while addressing the inaugural session of a workshop (phase-II) on traffic management and social awareness at the auditorium of the National Sports Council in the city’s Purana Paltan area. The Youth Development Department arranged the workshop to impart training to some 2,100 youths in phases. Committee to address labor issues and complaints formed: Adviser Asif Pointing at the trainees, Asif asked them to play a strong role in building social awareness over traffic rules and signals. He hoped that the trainees would gather field-level experiences from this training. Asif thanked the youth as they have been helping the government and traffic police to restore order on the streets since August 5 last. Youth and Sports Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi also spoke at the function presided over by Director General of Youth Development Department Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman.

Authorities of Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project (BRT, Gazipur-Airport) has requested outbound passengers – going to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport – to start early, between 6pm today and 6am Sunday. A press release, signed by ASM Ilias Shah, project director, made the request to avoid possible traffic congestion during the abovementioned period. Earlier on Wednesday, Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Company Ltd authorities requested commuters in the capital not to use the route from Khilkhet through airport to Uttara during the same period. Read more: Traffic alert: Dhaka commuters urged to avoid Airport-Uttara route from tomorrow till Sunday morning The move came as traffic situation on the Dhaka Airport-Uttara route is expected to worsen due to development work of the BRT project. Special road development work for the BRT project will be conducted in the Dhaka airport area during November 24 and 27, said a special traffic advisory signed by ASM Ilias Shah, project director of BRT. Under the circumstances, all public and private vehicles were advised to avoid Dhaka Airport-Uttara route during this period. Read more: Traffic movement to be restricted at Dhaka Cantonment Monday

App-based ridesharing bikers and shop owners brought traffic movement to a grinding halt in parts of Dhaka Wednesday, protesting the government's restriction order on their services amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases. The pedestrians said bikers of ridesharing services gathered at Moghbazar intersection at noon and staged a protest demanding an end to the ban on their services during the weeklong restriction on movement of people and transport. Traffic came to a standstill at that time as the angry bikers began to protest. Later, they tried to take position in front of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters but failed as police gave chase to disperse them. Also read: Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases Earlier, the bikers gathered at the Mohakhali area at around 11am and demonstrated on the streets, causing traffic congestion from Mohakhali to Bangladesh Navy Headquarters in Banani.  When contacted, an on-duty traffic inspector of the Mohakhali area told UNB that cases were filed against ridesharing bikers as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) imposed restrictions on bike ridesharing services until Apr 14 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Also read: Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services The BRTA has banned all ridesharing services for 15-days from Thursday to prevent the Covid-19 spread. Meanwhile, shop owners and employees of the Bangabazar area blocked the streets of Gulistan in the morning, demanding immediate reopening of shops and markets. Witnesses said protestors hurled brick chips at police as the law enforcement tried to disperse them.  Also read: No motorcycle ride-sharing from Thursday Traffic came to a halt at Gulistan area at that time. At one stage, police dispersed the demonstrators. Earlier, the government announced the lifting of ban on public transport in city corporation areas from Wednesday, amid the nationwide lockdown.  The move sparked anger among other commercial sectors and ridesharing bikers across the city.

Traffic bustle returned to Dhaka with the resumption of city bus services on Wednesday, the third day of the seven-day countrywide lockdown. In the wake of commuters’ sufferings, the government allowed public transports to resume their operations in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur and Mymensigh city corporation areas from 6am to 6pm every day. The relaxation has brough some sort of relief for commuters, vendors, traders and retailers who had suffered during the last two days for lack of public transports. “This is good! It has enabled us to move easily in the city. But maintaining health protocols still remains a problem. People are reluctant,” said Shafiqul Islam, a private firm executive.         But, he said, with the resumption of public transport service, Dhaka got back its usual traffic chaos and sound pollution though the volume of vehicles was relatively low. Although mass transports were relatively thin on the streets, traffic jams were seen in areas like Moghbazar, Banani and Gulistan areas.    

Traffic on various important and main roads of the capital will be controlled and remain closed for some time on March 26 and 27, the Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said on Wednesday. It said the step has been taken to facilitate the movement of invited foreign guests and the VVIPs on the occasion of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and Golden Jubilee of Independence. Meanwhile, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Srilankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering have already joined the celebration of the two mega events. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on March 26 to attend the twin celebrations of Mujib Borsho and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. He will also visit Bangabandhu Memorial in Tungipara, Matua community in Kashiani, and a temple in Satkhira on March 27 before holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.