Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The Biswa Ijtema, billed as the second largest congregation of Muslims after the Hajj, will be held in two phases -- February 2 to 4 and February 9 to 11 -- this year.
Ahead of this, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) have jointly issued a traffic and car parking management directive to ease the pressure on the traffic system.
The measures will be in effect for each of the three days in both phases.
A media release, issued from police headquarters on Wednesday morning, sought all-out cooperation to maintain order in traffic, avoid traffic jams, and facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
Parking Instructions
Police declared a no-parking zone on the roads and their nearby areas near the Khilkhet-Abdullahpr-Dhaur bridge.
Fixed Parking Zones
The police fixed some points for parking vehicles for the Muslim devotees who will attend the Ijtema.
Dhaka Metropolitan Parking: Open spaces of Swadesh Property adjacent to 300 feet of road.
Divisional parking inside DMP areas:
Dhaka and Chittagong Division Parking: Kadam Ali Market under Sector No. 15, Bridge No. 5, and Uludah Field in Sector No. 17.
Sylhet and Khulna Division Parking: Lakepar Ground of Uttara Sector-15.
Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh Division: West side of the lake of bridges 10 and 11, inside Sector No. 16 and Boubazar ground.
Divisional parking inside GMP areas:
Mymensingh Division Parking: Chandana High School, Chowrasta, Gazipur.
Vehicles coming from North Bengal and Tangail will park at Bhawal Badre Alam College and Pubail University College.
Government Vehicles: Telephone Industry Organization (TESIS) and Tongi Government College Ground.
The drivers and helpers of the parked vehicles must stay with their vehicles. The devotees and the driver will keep each other’s mobile numbers so that they can communicate with each other in any emergency. The driver’s mobile number must be visible in front of the vehicle.
Diversion points are only for the days of Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) on February 4 and 11
Dhaur Bridge, Sector No. 18 Panchabati Crossing, Padma Loop, Sector No. 12 Khalpar, Mohakhali Crossing, Hotel Radisson Blu Crossing, Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway (World Road Nikunj-1 Katchi Gate), Kuratali Flyover Loop-2, Mohakhali Flyover West Side, Mirpur Diabari Bus Stand Crossing, Ashulia Bazar Crossing.
Kamarpara Road from Mannu Gate will be closed from the starting day of Ijtema for both phases.
Traffic movement will remain shut on the two-way road from Bhogra Bypass from Abdullahpur and from Mirer Bazar to Station Road from 10 pm on February 3 to 2 pm on February 4, and from 10 pm on February 10 to 2 pm on February 11.
Vehicles carrying VVIPs/VIPs/Foreign devotees participating in Bishwa Ijtema have been advised to use the Tongi Flyover from BNS Tower, get off at Station Road, and use Mannu Gate Kamarpara Road.
All inter-district vehicles, including buses, covered vans, and other heavy vehicles, will avoid the Abdullahpur, Dhaur Bridge intersection and move via Mohakhali-Bijaysarani-Gabatli from 4:00 am on Akheri Munajat day.
Transportation services will be provided for foreigners from Padma Loop and Kuratali Loop-2 to the airport under the management of Traffic Uttara Division on the day of Akheri Monajat.
It is also requested to avoid the Kawla/Airport exit of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway on the day of Akheri Monajat.
For any queries on traffic management, commuters have been asked to contact the below numbers.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police: Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-043940, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-043941, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North East Zone)- 01320-043952, Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic-North West Zone)- 01320-043955, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-Airport Zone)- 01320-043958, Inspector of Police (Administration)- 01320-043973, TI (Abdullahpur)- 01320-043968, TI (Kamar Para) )- 01320-043971, TI (Dhaur Bridge)- 01320-043970, TI (Airport)- 01320-043962, Traffic Control Room- 01711-000990.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police: Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic)- 01320-070991, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-North)- 01320-071004, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South)- 01320-071277, Inspector of Police (City & Traffic) (Station Road)- 01320-071291, Ijtema Control Room (Hotline)- 01320-072999, Control Room, GMP- 01320-072998, Traffic Control Room- 01320-071298.