Commuters suffer due to scarcity of public transport
Dhaka city dwellers have been suffering due to transport crisis as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and a host of other opposition political parties enforced a nationwide three-day rail, road, and waterways blockade from today.
Public transport is plying the roads but the number is very few compared to usual weekdays.
Offices and a number of educational institutions are open, and, taking advantage of the scarcity of public transport, rickshaw-pullers and CNG-run autorickshaws have been charging excess fares .
While visiting Jatrabari, the capital's bustling hub, one of our correspondents saw a subdued atmosphere there.
No processions or picketing in support of the blockade programme have been reported in the area.
Instead, local Awami League activists have congregated at a field to defy the protest programme.
Law enforcement agencies are maintaining heightened vigilance at key points in Jatrabari.
A member of a local police station said, "We have deployed 70 police personnel at Jatrabari intersection alone. We are prepared to address any potentially destructive activities.
"As of 9:30am, we have not seen any processions or picketing in this area," he said.
While talking to one Shamim Ahmed at Jatrabari intersection, he said, "I work at a private bank. I have to go to the office. That's why I left home. But I'm worried about how I will go to Gulshan as I couldn't find any vehicles."
No long-distance buses have left Gabtoli Bus Terminal since morning due to shortage of passengers.
Usually, 200 to 250 buses leave Gabtoli by 10:00am.
Liton Khan, a toll collector, said it was mandatory for each and every inter-city bus to pay toll before leaving the terminal but till 10:00am, they did not receive a single penny.
Our reporter talked to the ticket counters of Hanif and Shyamoli Paribahan, both the counter said they could not operate buses unless there was a certain number of passengers.
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