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CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers withdrew their blockade in the capital's Banani area on Sunday evening after nearly seven hours of protests, allowing traffic to resume on the Mohakhali route around 7pm following the intervention of the army.
The blockade caused serious traffic gridlocks and widespread suffering for commuters throughout the day, with many stuck on the roads under intense heat.
Alamgir Hossain, general secretary of Dhaka District CNG Auto-Rickshaw Owners-Workers Welfare Association, confirmed the blockade withdrawal at around 7:30pm.
Earlier in the day, incoming and outgoing traffic on the Mohakhali route remained suspended from 1:30pm due to the blockade enforced by CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers from outside Dhaka city.
Their key demand was that CNG-driven auto-rickshaws registered in the Dhaka district be allowed to operate freely in the Dhaka metropolitan area without facing cases or harassment from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
From 10am, members of the Dhaka District CNG Auto-Rickshaw Owners-Workers Welfare Association began their demonstration in front of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) headquarters in Banani, which soon triggered severe traffic congestion on the roads leading to Mohakhali and the adjacent areas.
At one stage, the protesters surrounded the BRTA building, preventing officials and visitors from entering or exiting the premises.
According to sources, 30-40 army personnel arrived in the evening on the scene to bring the situation under control.
Following their intervention, the protesters finally withdrew, and traffic movement resumed.
Banani Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mehedi Hasan said, "CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Banani, causing complete suspension of traffic."
Throughout the day, the demonstrators remained firm in their demand for the freedom to operate within the city without legal obstacles.
Despite police efforts to disperse them, they continued the blockade for almost six hours, causing immense suffering to commuters.
Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Sarwar said, "The drivers gathered in front of the BRTA office after noon and started protesting to press home their demands. We tried to disperse them, but they refused to clear the road. The blockade continued, and we remained present on the spot."
Earlier, the protesters had announced they would not withdraw until their demands were met.
Ambulances and airport-bound vehicles were reportedly allowed to pass, while other vehicles remained stuck.
Due to the blockade, severe traffic congestion spread in the nearby areas, leaving hundreds stranded under the scorching sun.
Many expressed anger and frustration over the suffering.
Lamya Akter, a university student, said, "After finishing my classes, I could not return home because of the blockade and the terrible traffic jam. The heat and the gridlock made the situation unbearable. The roads were so clogged that I could not even walk home."
The Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-Rickshaw Drivers' Unity Council in a statement issued on Sunday said among their key demands, the registration of 5,000 government-approved CNG-run auto-rickshaws, approved in 2007, must be issued immediately.
In addition, the council demanded that registration or blue books be issued for another 15,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws currently operating in Dhaka city.
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