City dwellers suffer due to traffic jam

Due to the demonstrations of CNG-powered autorickshaw drivers, unbearable traffic jams have been created on various roads and highways of Dhaka. Although they lifted the blockade and moved off the road by noon, the situation has not improved much.

CNG-powered autorickshaw drivers took positions at various intersections on Sunday (February 16) morning to protest against the BRTA's strict directive to implement the provision of a fine of Tk 50,000 and six-month imprisonment for drivers and owners who charge extra fares. The road blockades triggered severe traffic jams all across the city, creating immense sufferings for the city dwellers. Traffic movement came to a halt at the capital’s several important intersections including Mirpur-1, Mirpur-14 and Rampura, as well as in the Jatrabari and Gabtoli areas, the two gateways to Dhaka. The common people, school-going students and pedestrians suffered.

On Sunday noon, the BRTA canceled the decision regarding CNG fares in the face of the drivers' protest. Later, the protesters moved off the road.

At noon, there were long queues of vehicles and severe traffic jams in Basabo, Shantinagar and Malibag. Emdadul Karim, one of the hundreds of passengers walking on the road at Malibag, said that he had started walking from Jatrabari.

Samaranjan Kuthal, a passenger walking towards Notun Bazar under Rampura Bridge, said that he needed to reach his office by 10am. But he had to start walking due to heavy traffic. He will have to clarify for not being able to reach the office on time.

Severe traffic jams and suffering were also seen at other points including Mirpur, Khilkhet, Uttara, Farmgate, Azimpur, and Gulistan.

Md Rakib, Sub-Inspector of Rampura Police Station, said the protesters have moved off the road. The work of gradually releasing the stuck vehicles is underway. It will take some time for the situation to normalise.

Sohag Mia, a businessman from Badda said, “Almost every day, there are protests are organised blocking roads somewhere in the capital. Suffering on the roads has become a daily routine for the people of the capital.”

He requested that those who want to hold protests and programmes should do so in other ways instead of blocking the roads.

Badruddoza Chowdhury, an official of a private organisation, alleged that the interim government has no visible initiative to resolve the random protests and passenger suffering. “This deadlock has made public life miserable day after day. I demand that the government take appropriate steps,” he said.