The flow of vehicles on highways increased yesterday, the third day of the opposition enforced 83-hour blockade programme and fifth consecutive one in one month.
An increased number of intercity buses and goods-laden trucks were seen plying the highways under protection of the law enforcers. Transport workers, however, said the presence of passengers had been thin.
Mahbub Hossain, who came to the capital to sit for a recruitment examination of a bank yesterday, said he was apprehensive about boarding a bus fearing an arson attack. “However, I did not face any hurdle on my way as the army and the police personnel were on alert on the highway,” he said.
Sources in the joint force said the army personnel had been helping goods-laden trucks and vans to cross the Aricha and Mawa ferry terminals. They had also been checking vehicles thoroughly on the highways.
Hedayetullah, driver of a bus of Ena Paribahan, said after a drawn out period marked with anarchy and violence, he had witnessed some security measures on the highway.
No bus left the Gabtoli terminal in the capital for long route yesterday. However, a large number of passengers were found collecting tickets to travel today as the blockade ends at 5pm.
Nasir Uddin Howlader, general secretary of Sayedabad Bus Terminal Workers’ Association, told the Dhaka Tribune that the number of intercity buses had risen yesterday, compared to the previous day.
Buses left the terminal for Chittagong, Sylhet, Comilla, Daudkandi, Chandpur and other nearby districts.
Abdul Malek, general secretary of Mohakhali Bus Terminal Owners’ Association, said over 50 buses left the terminal yesterday for Tangail, Mymensingh and Sherpur and reached destinations without hassle.
Jasim Uddin, chairperson of state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, said the BRTC buses had started ferrying passengers yesterday to all districts under tight security.
Asaduzzaman Mia, deputy inspector general of highway police, said the highways were almost under control.
Enquired about the army’s role, Inter-Services Public Relations’ Director Shahinur Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “The winter exercise [of the army] is going on. Vehicles also move during the exercise and the troops are providing support if roads are not clear. The people are getting its benefit.”
A nine-member monitoring cell has been formed to ensure smooth bus transit under DIG Asaduzzaman.
