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Bracing for traffic jam
City dwellers say roads are already crowded as lockdown remains only on paper; bus service resumes Thursday
Although all kinds of bus services have been suspended across the country as part of the ongoing lockdown. PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN
Staff Correspondent
Staff Correspondent
Despite no buses plying the roads, the capital is still witnessing heavy traffic amid the lockdown . If that is the scenario right now, when buses start running from Thursday, Dhaka may once again turn into a city of traffic jams, city dwellers fear.
Restrictions were imposed on movement of people and public transportation on April 5, to contain the second wave of Covid-19. The restrictions had then been extended until May 5 in phases. Yesterday, they were was once again extended till May 16, but with a directive to resume intra-district bus services from May 6
Many shops were found open yesterday, which were operating till night.
The announcement that shops and malls would reopen from April 25 (from 10am to 5pm) also gave a sense of relaxation to the city s people. The road transport minister yesterday even hinted that public tranport may also resume after April 28.
On Pragati Sarani and Gulshan, many shops of fashion items, electronic goods, furniture, decoration and hardware were found open.
Abul Hasan, a furniture shop owner at Natun Bazar area, said he opened his shop nearly after two weeks. People like to buy furniture by checking those out in person. Keeping the shop closed for two weeks was a huge loss for us, he said.
Footpath, road blocked by DNCC’s structure
Waste transfer station, vehicles encroach pedestrians’ space in capital’s Badda
A part of the footpath on Pragati Sarani is taken up by one of DNCC’s secondary waste transfer stations, built encroaching the space. To solve one problem, the corporation created another one, as pedestrians must now jaywalk around the structure while dodging traffic. While officials point to space constraints for constructing the station this way, urban planners think an alternative would have been possible through proper planning. The photo was taken yesterday. PHOTO: SK ENAMUL HAQ
Dhaka residents usually come across footpaths and roads being blocked by vendors and parked vehicles. As a result, they may have to jaywalk or manoeuvre their vehicles through the obstacles, hoping that one day authorities will clear the path.
Mirpur road near Dhanmondi 27 on Friday, April 16, 2021. Photo: Star/ Md Muntakim Ibne Salehin
There were some motorbikes and rickshaws available on roads and alleys.
In many of the check posts set up around the city, policemen were passing free time as there was no queue of vehicles.
At Hatirjheel entry point near Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, police were seen checking vehicles for movement passes. At Karwan Bazar, police were announcing on loudspeakers not to move around on the roads without any emergency.
Large crowds, however, gathered for Juma prayers in Kalabagan and Panthapath areas where our correspondent visited.
Photo: Jamil Khan