Thousands of BNP leaders and activists have started gathering on footpaths stretching from the airport to Gulshan Avenue on Tuesday to welcome their leader and party chief Khaleda Zia, as she is returning home after nearly four months of treatment in London.
Witnesses reported that the crowd, waving party and national flags, includes members not only from Dhaka but also from Gazipur.
Altaf Hossain, a Jubo Dal activist from Gazipur, told Bangla Tribune that he came out of love for his party.
“Many more activists are on their way from my hometown,” he said.
He added, “Madam’s return to the country is a historic event. Who would not want to witness history? Besides, the party has directed us to be here. That’s why I came.”
Abu Bakar, a BNP activist from the Kawla area, said: “People are eagerly waiting to vote for BNP after the fall of the fascists. Madam is returning today. You’ll see—an election date will be announced soon.”
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to arrive at Shahjalal International Airport at 10:30am on Tuesday.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with senior party leaders, will receive Khaleda at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon her arrival.
Though a Qatari royal ambulance carrying Khaleda, her two daughters-in-law, and other entourage members is scheduled to land at the airport at 10:30 am, BNP supporters began gathering on the footpaths along both sides of the nearly 10-kilometre road on the route from early morning, holding national and party flags to greet Khaleda on her homecoming.
The special air ambulance, provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her entourage, took off from Heathrow Airport around 9:35pm (BST) on Monday.
As the BNP chief will be travelling from Dhaka Airport to her residence in Gulshan via Kakoli, the party has designated specific locations for its affiliated bodies and leaders to take positions along the route in a disciplined manner to avoid causing traffic jams.
To avoid congestion, DMP urged commuters to use alternative routes during the morning and midday hours. Suggested routes include:
- Abdullahpur–Kamarpara–Dhour Bridge–Panchaboti–Mirpur Beribadh to Gabtoli
- Dhaka Elevated Expressway
- Residents of Uttara and Mirpur should avoid the Airport Road and instead use the House Building–Jamjam Tower–Sector 12 Khalpar–Uttara North Metro Station–Uttara Centre Station–Mirpur DOHS route, or via Sector 18–Panchaboti–Mirpur Beribadh
- Travellers from Gulshan, Badda and Pragati Sarani areas are advised to avoid Kakoli, Gulshan-2 and Kamal Ataturk Avenue and instead travel via Gulshan-1/Police Plaza–Amtali–Mohakhali, using the Mohakhali Bus Terminal ramp to access the Elevated Expressway
- Vehicles from the Mohakhali Bus Terminal bound for Mymensingh and Tangail are advised to travel via the Mirpur–Gabtoli route
- Vehicles using the Elevated Expressway from airport/300 Feet Road should use the Mohakhali or FDC ramps instead of Banani/Kakoli ramps