Withdrawal of ‘strict lockdown’: Dhaka streets, highways see gridlocks

Dhaka streets and highways are witnessing heavy traffic as the government withdrew the nationwide "strict lockdown" for a week from today, amid fears of further spike in coronavirus transmission.

There was traffic congestion on many streets in Dhaka including in Mirpur, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli and Hatirpool. Wait at traffic signals were considerably longer.

Many were seen rushing to shopping centres as malls and shops opened after two weeks -- with just a few days left before Eid-ul-Azha.

Long distance buses and trains resumed operation -- at half capacity -- across the country this morning.

Crowds of holidaymakers -- going to their village homes -- formed at Gabtoli and other bus terminals.

Some highways, especially on Dhaka-northern district routes, are witnessing traffic congestion due to heavy pressure of vehicles, Mosharref Hossain, general manager of Hanif Paribahan, told The Daily Star.   

Most of the tickets were sold online, he said.

Majedul Islam, a passenger who was waiting at Gabtoli terminal said that his bus was scheduled to leave Dhaka at 9:15am but it could not reach the city till 11:15am due to congestion at ferry terminal. 

Our Tangail correspondent reported a 10km tailback on Dhaka-Tangail highway -- from Karotia to Elenga -- since this morning.  

Drivers and commuters said the traffic congestion formed from Karotia around 4am.

In-charge of Elenga Highway Police Station Yasir Arafat said, three trucks broke down at Bangabandhu Bridge's eastern part early this morning and later, the pressure of vehicles increased, which led to the long tailback.

Our Savar correspondent reported tailback on both sides of the Dhaka-Aricha highway with congestion in some places.

Sajjad Karim, officer in-charge of Savar Highway Police Station, told The Daily Star that due to the increasing pressure of homebound people and trucks carrying sacrificial animals, traffic has slowed down.

Highway police along with law enforcers will be on duty from Friday morning to reduce traffic congestion, he said.