Traffic movement in Dhaka slow after Banani blockade lifted

Traffic has returned to normal after a few hours of disruption after readymade garment (RMG) workers, who blocked Chairmanbari Road at Banani in the capital in protest of the death of a female garment worker in a road accident, lifted the blockade.

However, traffic is still slow on other roads in the capital.

The agitating RMG workers withdrew their protest around 1:30pm on Monday (March 10) after assurances from the police and intervention by labour leaders. After that, traffic gradually resumed in Banani, Mohakhali and surrounding areas.

Earlier, a garment worker named Minara Akhter was killed around 6am today, when a truck ran over her while crossing the road in Chairmanbari area of Banani. Another worker, Sumaiya Akhter, was injured in the accident and has been admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital.

After the accident, angry RMG workers blocked both sides of the road at Chairmanbari and Banani Expressway, causing severe traffic jams in Gulshan, Mohakhali and Kakoli areas. Later, the protesters left the road after assurances from the police and mediation by labour leaders.

Police said traffic movement is currently normal in Banani and its surrounding areas. However, the impact of the traffic jam spread to different parts of the capital including Khilgaon, Farmgate, Karwanbazar, Mirpur, and Moghbazar. It is learnt that traffic movement on those areas is slow due to the increased pressure of Eid shopping and homebound passengers.

Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Russell Sarkar said, “Labour leaders have assured that the family of the deceased will get justice. In addition, we have ensured that the persons involved in the accident will be brought under the law. The traffic movement normalised when the workers lifted the blockade. The truck involved in the accident has been seized.”