Dhaka, a city notorious for its traffic congestion, has descended further into chaos as sporadic protests by various organizations have created a severe bottleneck on the city’s roads. Commuters find themselves caught in a daily struggle, stranded and scrambling for alternative routes. The protests have transformed Dhaka’s streets into a labyrinth of roadblocks and delays, leaving residents grappling with a constantly shifting landscape of traffic disruptions.
One of the most recent incidents involved rickshaw pullers blocking the Shahbagh intersection, demanding a ban on battery-operated auto rickshaws and other issues. The protest, which began around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, brought all traffic on nearby roads to a standstill. The rickshaw pullers cited concerns about autorickshaws charging lower fares than they do, leading to a loss of business. They also criticized the autorickshaws for operating on main roads, violating traffic rules and contributing to traffic jams and accidents.
The situation has further escalated an already precarious traffic situation. The city’s key locations, including the High Court, Motsho Bhaban, Shahbagh, Science Lab, and Dhanmondi, were paralyzed on Sunday, as protesters took to the streets to voice their demands. Many commuters were forced to abandon their vehicles and walk to their destinations, experiencing delays that stretched for hours.
The traffic woes have been compounded by a programme led by the Ansars, a volunteer security force, which led to significant traffic jams around Purana Paltan, Bijoy Nagar, Gulistan, and Segunbagicha. The disruptions spread to areas like Banglamotor, Kawran Bazar, and Farmgate, creating a ripple effect throughout Dhaka’s road network.
“The protests are constant and sporadic, making it nearly impossible to predict traffic conditions from one day to the next,” said Ajijul Ahmed, a frustrated commuter. “It feels like every few hours there’s a new roadblock or demonstration, and it’s causing a lot of inconvenience for people trying to go about their daily lives.”
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has struggled to manage the traffic chaos, as numerous organizations have organized sit-ins and processions, leading to road blockades and traffic disruptions. “On Sunday there were a lot of processions and also sit-ins by the Ansar group. Demonstrations and protests by several groups and communities in various pockets have been a regular affair for the last few weeks. That has led to a lot of traffic congestion,” a traffic police official said.
The reopening of the metro services, which were closed due to violent anti-government protests, has provided some relief, alleviating the strain on other modes of transportation. However, the ongoing protests continue to disrupt traffic flow, leaving commuters facing the dual challenge of navigating congested roads and dealing with the unpredictability of protest-related disruptions.
The economic impact of these disruptions is significant, as the cost of commuting has increased due to higher fares for cabs and auto rickshaws. The delays have also affected business operations and daily routines, placing additional burdens on middle-class families and students already struggling with rising costs.
“There is a problem of inflation in Bangladesh and the ongoing traffic crisis has only aggravated the situation for middle-class people like us who have to depend on public transport. In several places cabs and auto-rickshaws charge us more than the normal rates,” Sukumar Mitra, an employee at a three-star hotel, stated.
The ongoing protests, which reached a crescendo on August 5, led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her flight to India. As Dhaka continues to grapple with the sporadic protests, the city’s infrastructure and public services are under severe strain. Commuters like Sadikul Hasan and Ajijul Ahmed are left to navigate a constantly shifting landscape of roadblocks and delays, hoping for a resolution to the unrest that has so profoundly impacted their daily lives. The city’s traffic woes, exacerbated by the protests, highlight the broader issues facing Dhaka’s transportation system and the ongoing struggle for stability in the capital.
