Eve of Road Blockade
Traffic jams clog Dhaka streets
A traffic jam chokes the capital's Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the afternoon yesterday as city dwellers tried to reach home early against the backdrop of the BNP-led 18-party alliance's road blockade programme today to press home their various demands. The rush to get home was prompted by torching and vandalism of vehicles by Jamaat-Shibir activists at different points.Photo: STAR
On the eve of the BNP-led 18-party alliance's countrywide road blockade programme, the city dwellers yesterday experienced unusual traffic congestion in many parts of the capital. Torching and vandalism of vehicles by Jamaat-Shibir activists at different points further intensified the tailbacks that trapped commuters for hours at Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Science Lab, Green Road, Farmgate and other adjacent areas. Many office-goers left their workplaces earlier than usual, fearing violence and vandalism on the streets. "It has become a common phenomenon that a few vehicles are vandalised and torched in the evening prior to every hartal day or blockade programme," said Rajib Ahmed, a private company employee. A large number of passengers were seen waiting for buses at the city's different bus stoppages in the evening. Many of them blamed the political culture of Bangladesh, saying that hartal, blockade, rally and procession by political parties are the major causes of people's sufferings on the streets. "Political leaders, in their speeches, say that they work for serving the people. But the reality is completely opposite. They are regularly causing us sufferings," said Rabiul Hasan, a banker. Alamgir Kabir, deputy commissioner (Traffic- South), said there was huge traffic congestion in the capital yesterday because people rushed to complete their tasks ahead of the blockade programme scheduled for today.
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