Heavy traffic congestion on roads amid lockdown
A long tailback of vehicles was formed on different roads across the country putting people in immense suffering since Monday morning
The old scenario of Dhaka's traffic problem has appeared on different streets since this morning amid countrywide lockdown to curb coronavirus.
A long tailback of vehicles, including private cars, buses, CNG run auto- rickshaws and pickup vans, was created on different roads across the country putting people in immense suffering since Monday morning.
Mostafiz Karim, a corporate officer said that it took about 50 minutes to reach the office at Karwan Bazar from Bosila. He stuck at signal three times in Panthapath area.
Many people were seen leaving Dhaka on Sunday afternoon before Ramadan starts. Moreover, a large number of day laborers have left the city on pickup vans and trucks.
According to them, the income source in the city could be cut off during the strict lockdown starting from 14 April. "At this time, it will be very difficult to earn as everything will be closed during the lockdown as per governments rules. So we are leaving the city."
3-km tailback on Dhaka-Chattogram highway
A huge traffic jam has been seen on both sides of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, starting all the way from Gauripur bus stand in Cumilla's Daudkandi to Shahidnagar from 4 am on Monday.
A three-kilometre tailback ensued at Daudkandi and stretched to Shahidnagar, on the way to Dhaka, reports Prothom Alo.
Alam, a businessman hailing from Cumilla Manoharganj Kachua village said that he left Dhaka's Jatrabari by bus at 6 am and reached Daudkandi at 9.30 am. Today, it took three and a half hours to cover the distance of only 50 kilometers.
According to drivers stuck in the traffic jam, "This traffic jam has been created due to the simultaneous departure of numerous vehicles on the highway."
Daudkandi Highway Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Alimul al-Razi said, "Excess pressure of vehicles towards Dhaka was responsible for the tailback. Efforts are being made to make the highway active again."
Vehicles stuck in long queue at Paturia ghat
Meanwhile, thousands of commuters travelling through the Paturia ferry terminal have been suffering a long tailback due to the number of increased private vehicles and trucks that are stuck in long queue following the government decision to suspend long-distance passenger transport.
More than 200 private vehicles and rows of more than 400 trucks were seen waiting in the terminal area, amid what the authorities claimed were due to the shortages of ferries.
Three of the seventeen small and big ferries were out of commission and being repaired for the mechanical glitch, confirmed Zillur Rahman, deputy general manager (DGM) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
He said, "The waiting trucks will get to cross the river when the pressure of small vehicles is reduced."
However, no tailback is reported at the Daulatdia Ghat.
Al Amin, driver of a truck heading to Magura, said that he arrived at the ferry terminal area around 11 pm on Sunday and got the ticket on Monday morning. However, he couldn't get on the ferry till 12:30 pm.
Faridpur-bound passenger Aminur Rahman, who rented a car paying 5 times more than the usual fare, said, "The situation is unpredictable due to the lockdown," adding that it has made him head home with his family.
A 7-day relaxed lockdown, which was extended for two more days, failed to ensure full implementation of health safety rules. Offices and factories were open, and public transport services were plying during the lockdown.
Later, the government decided to enforce a strict lockdown from Wednesday.
The Covid-19 National Technical Advisory Committee recommends that the current situation of Coronavirus cannot be controlled without at least two weeks of "complete lockdown."
