AL rally causes traffic gridlock on Dhaka-Aricha highway

A rally of the ruling Awami League caused a traffic gridlock for hours on Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar yesterday.

The rally was being held on and beside the busy highway in Savar Bazar bus stand area. The gridlock started around 9:00am and continued till 2:00pm.

Such a situation arose as processions brought out by AL activists started gathering at the venue via the highway.

The situation got worse around 11:00pm when AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader reached the stage.

Rally participants spill on to the road. Photo: Star

Similar crowd was seen when the participants started departing from the venue after the rally.

Manik Hossin, a supervisor in a bus, said they got stuck for nearly an hour in a same place in Genda area.

One lane of the two-lane highway was totally blocked, he said.

Jalal Uddin, a bus driver, said it took three hours to reach Savar radio colony area from Gabtoli. “Usually, it takes 45 to 55 minutes.”

Amir Hossen, who was going to Manikganj from Dhaka, said he had to walk for an hour on the way.

Awlad Hossen, another passenger, said he got down from a bus near Razfulbaria bus stand around 12:00pm as it was moving too slowly.

Police were seen struggling to manage traffic throughout the day.

The situation started improving after 1:00pm, said Abul Hossen, traffic inspector of Savar.