Traffic in and around Dhaka’s Shahbagh area came to a standstill on Saturday due to multiple large gatherings and events taking place simultaneously at nearby locations.
The traffic situation worsened as the day progressed, with concerns that it could intensify further into the evening.
A major student rally marking the anniversary of a mass uprising was held at Shahbagh, drawing a large crowd of participants who arrived from various parts of the city, both on foot and by bus. Simultaneously, another public assembly was organized at the Central Shaheed Minar from 3 PM, focused on demands related to a national charter.
Additionally, an all-day cultural event titled "July Awakening" continued at Suhrawardy Udyan, as part of a four-day program that began on July 1.
To accommodate these events, authorities imposed traffic diversions and closed off key roads around Shahbagh. These measures redirected vehicles to alternate routes, causing congestion on surrounding streets.
Roads stretching from Paltan towards the National Press Club were closed, leading to heavy traffic on the Gulistan to Kakrail route. The situation was exacerbated by vehicles transporting attendees, which were parked along roads near Hotel Intercontinental, Katabon, and the Department of Fisheries.
Congestion soon spread beyond Shahbagh, affecting areas like Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Malibagh, Mouchak, and Moghbazar. Traffic jams were also reported from Science Lab and New Market, extending into Kalabagan and Dhanmondi.
Public transport was under strain, with commuters facing overcrowded buses and long waits. Bus movement was slow, and drivers struggled to maintain schedules due to extended delays across major intersections.
Despite the congestion, traffic officials reported that early public notices helped reduce unnecessary travel and that traffic was still moving on most roads. Efforts were ongoing to manage bottlenecks and restore flow.
Diversion Points and Alternative Routes:
Intercontinental Intersection: Northbound traffic was diverted to Hair Road or Mintu Road instead of heading straight towards Shahbagh.
Katabon Intersection: Westbound vehicles were rerouted via Nilkhet or Palashi, or through Sonargaon Road and Banglamotor Link Road.
Matsya Bhavan: Vehicles from the High Court area were directed to Hair Road or Captain Mansur Ali Avenue.
Kakrail Intersection: Traffic heading south avoided Shahbagh and was rerouted through Gulistan and Dhaka University areas.
TSC/Raju Sculpture Area: Vehicles were advised to use alternative routes via Doel Chattar or Nilkhet.
Authorities advised the public to avoid roads near Shaheed Minar and Suhrawardy Udyan as much as possible. A special appeal was issued to city residents, particularly students attending HSC and BCS exams, to allow extra travel time when heading to examination centers.
