The traffic system in the capital city of Dhaka virtually collapsed on Friday with the Eid-ul-Fitr approaching. Traffic jam in the city, especially in the market areas for Eid shopping, caused immense sufferings to the buyers as well as commuters.
The traffic system worsened due to indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the roads and in front of shopping malls and markets by the Eid shoppers, violation of traffic rules and encroachment of footpaths and roads by makeshift shops ahead of Eid.
In many places of the city, road repair and development work together with construction of flyovers and road digging by various utility-service providers also caused serious traffic congestion. In this backdrop, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday visited Jurain-Postagula and Pagla roads and asked the concerned engineers to complete the repair work of the roads before the Eid to ease the journey of homebound people during the festival. He also asked the police authorities to take immediate measure to ease traffic congestion.
Last week, the minister visited Mogbazar to inspect the traffic situation at the Mogbazar intersection. At that time, he said that digging of city roads would remain suspended ahead of the Eid. The construction work on the Mogbazar-Mouchak-Shantinagar flyover will also remain suspended for a few days before and after the Eid to avert traffic congestion.
Visiting different areas in the city on Friday, it was seen that the Eid shoppers belonging to wealthy section of society entered the malls leaving their cars on two to three rows outside the markets and the shopping centres.
Parking cars in front of New Market, Gausia and Chadni Chak markets occupying the roads caused serious traffic congestion in those areas. Traffic congestion was witnessed also in the city’ Kakrail, Malibagh, Shantinagar and Mouchak areas due to lack of adequate car parking facilities. Jonaki, Polwel Super Market, City Heart, Karnaphuli Garden City, Twin Tower, Mouchak market and Hosaf shopping complex are situated in the areas.
Traffic jam was also seen in Gulshan 1 and 2 circles and Dhanmondi, as several shopping malls and shops are located in those areas without adequate parking space.
The other areas of the city also experienced serious traffic jam, as people are trying to complete their Eid shopping as soon as possible as there will be more rush with the passage of time.
Earlier, the government had taken initiatives to ease the traffic jam during the month of Ramzan. All schools and colleges were closed till August 6. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had also taken different measurers to avert suffering of the people during the month.
