Commuters heading towards Dhaka have been suffering immensely as public transport services from nearby districts remain halted today.

People in Dhaka are also experiencing a shortage of public transport ahead of BNP’s rally set to be held at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital in the afternoon.

Police are seen stopping buses near Gabtoli bridge for conducting search: Photo: Muntakim Saad

While talking to The Daily Star, BNP Senior Joint Secretary Rizvi Ahmed alleged that the government has suspended the public transport services to bar the leaders and activists of BNP and its alliances from entering Dhaka to attend the rally.

Many people were seen standing on both sides of the roads, at bus stations and other stoppages owing to a lack of vehicles.

People are seen waiting for buses at Ansar Camp in Mirpur of Dhaka this noon. Photo: Shaheen Mollah

Meanwhile, police were seen stopping buses near Gabtoli bridge for conducting search, which is creating huge traffic congestion in Hemayetpur area.

Farukul Alam, inspector (investigation) of Darussalam Police Station, told The Daily Star that they are checking bus to avoid sabotage.



Gazipur

Commuters got stuck at several bus stoppages due to the scarcity of public transports.

The district unit BNP president Fazlul Haque Milon told our Gazipur Correspondent that although police are allowing public buses and other transport to leave Dhaka, the law enforcers are obstructing the public transports trying to enter the capital.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Gazipur (traffic division) Saleh Uddin Ahmed however said they did not obstruct any vehicles. Rather, transport workers are avoiding the route today, the police official said.

But he did not make any comment on why the drivers are not plying vehicles to Dhaka.    

Munshiganj

People were seen waiting at different points on Dhaka-Mawa highway in Lauhajang upazila since morning due to sudden halt of Dhaka-bound bus services from Shimulia ghat bus stand.

Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Lauhajang Police Station, said, “I heard about the matter. But don’t know the reason”.

Narayanganj

Rahima Sharif Maya, joint convener of Narayanganj District Mahila Dal, alleged that the government stopped the bus service without prior notice so that no one can attend the BNP rally.

People are waiting for public transports at Narayanganj bus terminal. Photo: Sanad Saha

He was talking to our district correspondent while waiting at Narayanganj railway station for train to reach Dhaka for attending the rally.

Moktar Hossain, president of Mini Bus Owners Association, told the correspondent, “Several buses in the morning started for Dhaka but those got stuck in traffic congestion in Shanir Akhra area”.

Narayanganj Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Md Abdur Rashid said, “We didn’t stop any bus. We have nothing to say if transport owners have stopped their services.”