For the third consecutive day, Dhaka remains virtually paralyzed as multiple demonstrations and sit-ins by political parties and garment workers have brought city traffic to a grinding halt, triggering widespread public suffering and economic disruption.
Several key intersections across the capital — including Shahbagh, Kakrail, Rampura, and Mirpur — have been taken over by demonstrators since early morning. Protesters from the BNP and its affiliated bodies, including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), are continuing their sit-ins demanding reinstatement of Ishraq Hossain as mayor and justice for murdered student leader Shahriar Alam Samya.
Meanwhile, readymade garment (RMG) workers have staged sporadic protests in different industrial areas, including Uttara and Tejgaon, over wage disputes and alleged harassment by factory owners. Their demonstrations have further choked arterial roads and flyovers.
Commuters were seen stranded for hours, with traffic snarls stretching for miles.
It took me nearly three hours to cross Farmgate,” said Rubel Ahmed, a private bank employee commuting from Mirpur area in the capital. “There’s no public transport, and walking even a short distance feels endless,” he added.
Ride-sharing apps saw fare surges, while many bus operators suspended services, unable to navigate blocked and congested roads.
To make matters worse, a torrential morning downpour added to the chaos, flooding several parts of the city and intensifying the sufferings of stranded commuters.
Waterlogging in areas like Dhanmondi, Badda, and Mohammadpur caused further delays as vehicles moved at a snail’s pace or broke down altogether. Protesters, drenched but undeterred, continued chanting slogans under plastic covers and umbrellas.
Law enforcement officials were deployed in large numbers, attempting to mediate with demonstrators and redirect traffic, but efforts yielded limited success.
City residents and transport experts are urging authorities to step in with effective measures to prevent a full-scale urban shutdown.
With no clear sign of resolution and forecasts predicting further rainfall, many fear the situation could worsen in the coming days.
