Oath ceremony snarls Dhaka traffic as security tightened around parliament
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Traffic congestion spread across parts of Dhaka on Tuesday morning as heightened security measures were put in place for the swearing-in of newly elected members of parliament.
Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel stepped up patrols and imposed strict traffic controls, leading to congestion across several key roads in the capital since Tuesday morning.
Two major roads -- Manik Mia Avenue on one side of the parliament complex and Lake Road on the other -- were closed to general traffic from 8am, prompting diversions through adjacent routes, including the road beside the July Museum.
Despite prior traffic advisories issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), long tailbacks formed from the July Museum intersection to the Aarong intersection, extending towards Farmgate, Dhanmondi and surrounding areas.
“I was taking my child to school, but the police were not allowing vehicles to stop,” said private car driver Md Shakil.
“There has been bumper-to-bumper traffic from Ganabhaban [July Museum]. It took nearly half an hour just to cross the intersection.”
Police also tightened vehicle movement toward educational institutions in Mohammadpur, opposite the parliament complex. Many shops along Asad Avenue remained shut, while roadside vendors were cleared from pavements.
Newly elected BNP lawmakers began arriving at the parliament premises from around 9am to take oath. The ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10am, was delayed.
According to a BGB statement, 12 platoons were deployed in the parliament area to ensure security for the oath-taking of MPs and the cabinet.
A government announcement said the new cabinet will be sworn in at 4pm at the South Plaza of the parliament building. The event will be broadcast live on an LED screen on Manik Mia Avenue, which will be open to the public.
Authorities have also imposed a ban on drone flights over the parliament and surrounding areas for security reasons.
The ceremony will be screened live in all 64 districts by local administrations, while the Local Government Department has arranged broadcasts on LED screens at 20 locations across Dhaka.