Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have issued a traffic and car parking management plan ahead of the 54th Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after hajj.
The Ijtema will be held in two phases, on February 15-16 and February 17-18, on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi amid tight security.
Police have taken special measures to ease the traffic system, effective from the first days of the two phases.
Car parking instructions
Police have declared no-parking zones on the roads and nearby areas from Rainbow intersection-Abdullahpr-Dhaur bridge and Rampur bridge to Pragati Sarani.
Fixed parking zones
DMP fixed some points for parking of vehicles carrying devotees from different districts to the Ijtema. Drivers and assistants of the parked vehicles must stay with their vehicles.
Dhaka metropolitan: Shahjalal Avenue of Uttara, Nikunja 1 and Nikunja 2 and open spaces in the areas
Dhaka division: From Sonargaon Janapath intersection to Diabari canal
Chittagong division: Gausul Azam Avenue (from east end through west and to Garib Newaz Road of Sector 13 of Uttara)
Sylhet division: From the canal bank of Uttara 15 to Diabari roundabout
Also Read- 54th Bishwa Ijtema: Preparations near Turag River almost complete
Khulna division: Open spaces (including main roads) of Sector 17 and 18 in Uttara
Rangpur, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions: Pratyasha Housing
Barisal division: Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Landing Station, adjacent to Dhaur bridge crossing in Ashulia
Parking for Dhaka Metropolitan area: Open spaces in North Shahjalal Avenue, Nikunja 1 and Nikunja 2
The owners and drivers must have the contact numbers of each other so that they can be reached in case of emergency.
Diversion points for Feb 16 and Feb 18, days of Akheri Munajat (concluding prayer)
Mohakhali intersection, Hotel Radisson u-turn, Pragati Sarani, Kuril flyover loop 2, Dhaur bridge and entrance passage of Uttara Sector 18 near Beribadh road.
Instructions for driving while diversion enforced
Vehicles heading to Abdullahpur from Ashulia will have to take Mirpur-Beribadh road after taking the right turn at intersection near Dhaur bridge, the DMP said on its website on Wednesday.
On February 16 and 18, all vehicles, except those carrying passengers and airline crews, law enforcement agents and firefighters and ambulances, to take alternative routes – Mohakhali-Bijoy Sarani-Gabtoli – avoiding Airport Road, the DMP said.
All inter-district vehicles, including buses and trucks from Mohakhali bus terminal for Abdullahpur, will ply Bijoy Sarani-Gabtoli road taking the left turn from Mohakhali intersection.
DMP also advised vehicles to use the Hotel Radisson u-turn, or take the u-turn at Kuril Bishwa Road or the flyover, to go Pragati Sarani instead of heading towards Airport Road.
Private cars, microbuses and CNG-run auto-rickshaws heading to Uttara from Kakoli and Mirpur have been advised to use alternative routes as a diversion will be enforced in front of the gate of Nikunja 1.
There will be another diversion at loop 2 under Kuril flyover, so Abdullahpur-bound vehicles coming from Pragati Sarani have also been advised to take alternative routes.
Two minibuses and two microbuses will transport passengers travelling abroad or coming in from overseas free of cost from 4am on Feb 16-18. The vehicles can be availed at gate No 1 of Nikunja Residential area.
For any queries on traffic management, commuters have been asked to contact Senior Assistant Police Commissioner (Uttara Traffic Zone) at 01713398498, or TI (Uttara Traffic Zone) 01912025939.