Dhaka’s Main Roads Deserted a Day Before Awami League’s Lockdown Program

Staff Correspondent

The main roads of the capital Dhaka have become empty the day before the lockdown program announced by the Awami League.

From Tuesday morning to noon, various areas including Kawran Bazar, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Mirpur Road, Mohammadpur, Science Lab, Pragati Smrani, Badda and Malayabagh were visited and the number of vehicles was less than normal on a normal day, and there was no traffic jam anywhere.

The number of buses and minibuses has also decreased noticeably due to the decrease in passengers. Although shops were partially open, there was less presence of people on the roads. Despite the transportation crisis, the overall situation was calm and controlled.

Transport owners in the capital say that the recent cocktail explosions and arson attacks on several buses have created panic among owners and workers. They have decided to suspend operations on many routes in the interest of safety.

Mizanur Rahman, a member of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, said, “Although the situation is calm, panic remains. After the incidents of burning cars, owners are not willing to take risks. There are also fewer passengers on the roads, everyone has returned home.”

Mohammadpur driver Rafiqul Islam said, “There have been fewer cars on the road since this morning, and there are no passengers. The owner said to drive less before the lockdown. We also want to be safe.”

Law enforcement surveillance has been intensified across the capital in anticipation of the November 13 lockdown announced by the Awami League. Additional police have been deployed at major intersections, and suspects are being searched at checkpoints.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), 17 cocktail explosions and 9 vehicle arson incidents occurred in different parts of the capital from November 1 to November 11. 17 cases have been filed in these incidents and 50 people have been arrested in the last 24 hours.

DMP officials said that with the help of the public, the overall situation in the capital is under control and all preparations have been made to strengthen security.