People leaving Dhaka ahead of lockdown from Monday

As the government has declared seven-day complete lockdown from Monday, people are rushing to leave Dhaka but they are suffering on roads as all long-route buses from the capital remains suspended from June 23 to stem the surge in Covid infections and deaths.

While visiting Gabtoli, our photographer Palash Khan saw hundreds of people -- many with families – gathered at Gabtoli with luggage and other essentials to Dhaka as they think the lockdown will be extended more.

People are entering Dhaka crossing Gabtoli bridge on foot. Photo: Palash Khan

The homebound people are reaching Gabtoli by rickshaws or auto-rickshaws. Then, they are crossing the Gabtoli bridge on foot. From Amin Bazar, they are boarding local buses to reach their destinations.     

The number of passengers may increase tomorrow, a day before the lockdown begins.

A large number of people are entering the capital as well in same way -- crossing Gabtoli bridge walking.

The photo was taken from Shimulia ferry ghat. Photo: Emrul Hasan Bappi

Our Manikganj correspondent reports, the number of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws increased on Dhaka-Aricha highway today.

People are rushing at Paturia ferry terminal. Photo: Star

All modes of vehicles are also crossing Paturia-Daulatdia river way.

Zillur Rahman, deputy director of BTWTC, Aricha regional office, said all the 16 ferries have been prepared as people are rushing to the terminal. Transportation of passengers and vehicles are going on smoothly, he said.

The country will be put under a complete lockdown for Monday. This time, nobody will be allowed to step out of home except for emergencies, said a statement from the Press Information Department (PID) yesterday evening.

Later, Farhad Hossain, state minister for public administration, told The Daily Star that members of the army and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along with the police would be deployed to ensure proper enforcement of the lockdown.