Restore functionality to Dhaka South, reduce public suffering

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) now feels like a slice of hell. Most government offices are located here, along with major institutions like Dhaka University, several large hospitals and markets. The surrounding areas are also densely populated. Any form of protest, demand, or demonstration tends to impact Dhaka South first. Moreover, due to VIP movements, several important roads in this part of the city are often shut down for parts of the day. On top of that, the ongoing digging and construction work—combined with seasonal rains—have pushed Dhaka South into a state of near-paralysis, paving the way to increased public sufferings.

According to media reports published on Thursday (May 22), Dhaka South was virtually paralyzed on Wednesday. The situation became so severe that vehicles were at a complete standstill in every direction. Key road junctions were choked with rickshaws, buses, and private cars tangled in chaos. Many motorcyclists were stuck for hours in traffic, getting drenched in the rain with no way forward.

Around 10am, the road stretching from Gulistan to Kakrail Mosque via DSCC Nagar Bhaban and Matsya Bhaban were completely shut down. Traffic was unable to move as supporters of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain occupied the road demanding his swearing-in as mayor. Simultaneously, another group of Ishraq supporters held a protest rally in front of the National Press Club. MPO-listed teachers were staging a separate demonstration and human chain nearby, demanding nationalisation of their jobs. These protests brought traffic to a standstill in Sadarghat, Babubazar, Sayedabad, Motijheel, Nayapaltan, Kakrail, Shahbagh, Shantinagar, Moghbazar and surrounding areas.

Traffic police personnel appeared overwhelmed and largely helpless, unable to control the situation. Despite attempts to reroute vehicles through diversions, their efforts failed to restore normal flow. Even emergency ambulances found themselves trapped in the gridlock. The situation became so dire that there was no option to even reverse or reroute through opposite lanes. Normalcy returned only by late night.

Such a situation has been prevailing since the mass uprising. With most government headquarters based in Dhaka South, citizens from various sectors inevitably gather there—whether in front of the chief adviser’s residence Jamuna, the Secretariat, the National Press Club, Shahbagh, or Dhaka University—to voice their demands. But wherever people gather, they necessarily block a main road. And if one or two of the few roads in Dhaka South are blocked, the whole of Dhaka becomes jammed.

It feels like a cursed state of affairs—one from which city dwellers have little hope of escape. Neither the government nor the public seems to have a solution. It is as if everyone is caught in a trap. No one can explain why roads must be blocked to make demands. Citizens are enduring extreme hardship while simultaneously creating new obstacles themselves. The government also wants relief, but seems powerless. Altogether, a deep sense of helplessness hangs over the city.

This is like a cursed situation from which the city dwellers may have no hope of escape. No one seems to understand what the government will do, what the people will do. Everyone seems to have fallen into a trap. Why do they have to block the road to present any demand? The people themselves are enduring extreme suffering, and they themselves are creating obstacles at various levels. The government also wants to get rid of this; but the government also seems to have nothing to do. Overall, a helpless situation prevails.

Despite everything, we still hope this cursed situation comes to an end. Both the government and the public must show greater tolerance. No demand can be truly fulfilled by inflicting harm upon oneself. The crisis the country is now experiencing is a clear reflection of that reality. Without mutual understanding between the government and the people, there can be no way out of this impasse.