Commuters travelling across the capital city of Dhaka have been suffering terribly due to traffic snarl since the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. They cannot reach their destinations in time as all the busy roads in the city are now getting blocked every day for traffic congestion.
Traffic in the all parts of the city, particularly in commercial area, busy intersections and in front of shopping malls, virtually comes to a standstill from the afternoon to late night. Traffic congestion is seen mainly in front of shopping malls where shoppers rush in private cars slow down the movement of public transports, resulting in severe gridlock.
All the efforts made by the traffic department to handle traffic during Ramadan has almost failed as the city roads were overcrowded with vehicles with the Eid shoppers moving from one shopping mall to another. As the number of shoppers and vehicles have significantly increased ahead of Eid, the people are experiencing severe traffic congestion.
Traffic congestion is
seen mainly in front of
shopping malls
Traffic department blamed the commuters for the traffic congestion as, according to them, they do not obey the traffic rules. Those who leave office at 3:00pm in the hope of reaching home early getting stuck at one junction or the other are facing gridlock. This terrible traffic situation has been continuing for the last few days.
Therefore, traffic movement from Abdullahpur, Sayedabad and Gabtali, city’s north, southeast, and northwest gateways respectively, to Gulisthan, Motijheel and other destinations virtually comes to a halt at different strategic points for hours, making public life a nightmare every day. This gridlock impact also spills over the entire city thoroughfares including Banani, Mohakhali, Mohakhali Flyover, Prime Minister’s Office, Bijoy Saroni, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Bangla Motor, Shahbagh Intersection, Motsho Bhaban and National Press Club.
As most of the city footpaths have been occupied by makeshift shops, the pedestrians and shoppers now have to walk on the main roads, contributing to the traffic jam. Besides, New Market, Panthapath, Mouchak, Malibagh, Kakrail and Dhanmondi areas also experience traffic congestions, as popular shopping malls are located in these areas.
Traffic congestion begins in the afternoon and lingers until the midnight, creating myriad difficulties for people entering and exiting the capital. It is the responsibility of traffic police, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), city corporations and bus owners’ associations to maintain the order in public transport and ease the traffic congestion.
