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Traffic across Dhaka is worsening as roads around Shahbagh remain closed due to three simultaneous political and student gatherings, leading to diversions and heavy pressure on surrounding routes.
The situation escalated late on Sunday morning as supporters of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student wing, began assembling on foot and by bus at Shahbagh for a rally, reports bdnews24.com.
Simultaneously, the National Citizen Party (NCP) held a public rally at the Central Shaheed Minar from 3pm to press for the July Proclamation and National Charter. Islami Chhatra Shibir has also staged a gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Collectively, the rallies created significant crowds around Shahbagh, Ramna, and the Shaheed Minar.
“We started diversions from 10:30am,” said Md Shafiqul Islam, deputy commissioner of traffic (Ramna).
“Naturally, with multiple large events happening in the same zone, pressure builds up on adjacent roads. We're trying our best to keep movement as normal as possible.”
Traffic was shut on the road from Paltan intersection towards the Jatiya Press Club, leading to a severe bottleneck on the Gulistan-Kakrail route.
A traffic constable on duty at Paltan said all vehicles from Gulistan-Paltan heading towards Shahbagh, Science Lab, or Banglamotor were being diverted through Kakrail.
“This will get worse after office hours,” he warned.
Congestion intensified as rally participants left their vehicles around Matsya Bhaban, Katabon, and Intercontinental Dhaka, blocking additional routes.
By noon, gridlocks had spread from Bijoy Sarani and Farmgate to Karwan Bazar, while the Gulistan-Paltan tailback spilt into Mouchak and Moghbazar. Meanwhile, jams from Science Lab and New Market reached Kalabagan and Dhanmondi.
“I need to go to Badda,” said Raihan, a commuter. “The buses are packed. Even if I get in, I’ll have to stand the whole way -- it's barely moving.”
Shakil, an assistant on a Savar Paribahan bus, echoed the frustration: “We've crawled from Gulistan to here. No idea how long the rest will take.”
Tania Sultana, additional deputy commissioner of traffic (Tejgaon), said the prior public notice had reduced “unnecessary movement”, helping prevent worse congestion.
“Traffic is moving. Wherever we see buildup, police are responding.”