Commuters in Dhaka faced a severe transportation crisis on Thursday after transport owners removed buses from the streets—as students continued their protests for a fifth straight day in the capital.
Students from different schools and colleges blocked major intersections and streets in Dhaka; protesting against the killing of two college students on Airport Road on Sunday.
Commuters, particularly office-goers, found it difficult to reach their destinations because of the few buses operating in the morning. They waited for hours by the streets for transportation—but in vain.
Many tried to hire rickshaws that were charging two-to-three times the normal fare. Those who failed to get one started walking towards their destinations. Many returned home.
Students are forcing rickshaws to move in single file and not letting any vehicle pass without checking the drivers’ licences. The students are not obstructing vehicles carrying patients.
Little traffic was seen in the Shahbagh area due to student blockades all over the city Mehedi Hasan
Long-distance bus services to-and-from Dhaka have been suspended.
Faruk Talukder Sohel, president of Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners’ Association, said bus owners on Thursday limited the number of buses on the road for the lack of security.
Also Read- Student protest: Lack of transportation options for commuters
Jashidul Haq, a government employee, said he started out from Mymensingh on Wednesday night. “I arrived at Tongi last night and reached Dhaka in the morning. I took a rickshaw to the office but could not reach my destination,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
Autorickshaw driver Abul Kalam said he was stuck at Panthapath for about an hour. “The traffic situation is the same across Dhaka as thousands of vehicles are stuck at various points,” he said.
“I support the students’ demands. They are logical. I want the government to take visible action after accepting their demands,” he added.
