The movement of people and vehicles on the capital’s road has increased during the extended lockdown. Many people were seen coming out from their homes for their livelihood while private cars' presence was also comparatively higher.
Despite police barricades on different roads of the capital, including the Farmgate and other important parts of the city, vehicles were found plying as usual without any restrictions.
On Wednesday, visiting the capital's Mohammadpur, Gabtali, Shyamoli, Asadgate, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Dhanmondi, Malibagh, Magbazar, Kakrail and Paltan areas, it was found that there was no police check post. Although there are checkposts at some corners, lower police presence was seen.
Moreover, motorcyclists were carrying passengers while three-wheeler rickshaws and auto rickshaws loaded with full capacity of passengers were moving. In this situation, the policemen were less active.
The presence of people on the road was eye-catching.
Seeking anonymity, a traffic sergeant said, “Although there are restrictions on movement during the lockdown, many people are roaming without any proper reason. Some of them have been fined. Again, some people are making different excuses. However, people involved in the emergency services are able to move freely”.
“The numbers of private cars have increased. People are trying to get out on various occasions. Cars were parked on different city roads, while inspecting some people even showed a prescription that expired a year ago,” he added.
While talking to an office goer at Framgate, he said, “My office is at Mirpur, office did not arrange any vehicles. I have been using different modes of vehicles to reach to my office. Every day, I have to spend three times more fare than usual”.
Sayeed Islam, another office goer from Rampura told this reporter, “Is it called lockdown? There are many cars except public transports on the road. There are no police barricades. Lockdown has been declared without providing livelihood to low income people."
A motorcycle rider Azim at Badda said, “It's been a long time since the lockdown started. We are not able to tolerate it anymore. If we stay at home our family will have to starve."
A seven-day lockdown was imposed on April 5 in the first phase due to sudden rise in coronavirus infection and death in the country. In the midst of that lockdown, a stricter lockdown was again given across the country from April 14. It was extended again for another week.
Meanwhile, on the first day of the extended lockdown, the roads in Dhaka have been a bit busier than in the past week.
