The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday issued a traffic guideline for areas surrounding large markets or shopping malls to create a convenient shopping environment ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
To facilitate Eid shopping for residents of Dhaka, vehicles not involved in shopping are specifically requested to avoid roads adjacent to various markets as much as possible from March 21, 22 and 26 until the day before Eid and to use alternative routes, according to a DMP statement signed by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali.
"For the convenience of the public coming for Eid shopping in various markets and vehicles moving around market areas, the following crossings will be closed from 1pm to 10pm every day from March 21, 22 (Friday, Saturday) and 26, 2025, until the day before Eid," the statement said.
If vehicle pressure in the relevant areas or roads is high, the following diversions will be implemented from time to time to control traffic and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles across the metropolis, it added.
Vehicles travelling from the Sonargaon crossing to Panthapath (Bir Uttam Kazi Nuruzzaman Road) towards the Panthapath area, New Market, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Jhigatola or Mirpur will be diverted towards Farmgate or Shahbagh.
Similarly, vehicles travelling from the Panthapath-Green Road crossing to the Sonargaon crossing, including those making a U-turn on Panthapath, will be redirected towards Green Road, Rasel Square or Farmgate.
Additionally, vehicles travelling from Mirpur Road and Dhanmondi to New Market via the Science Lab intersection (except city buses) will be required to take a left turn from the Science Lab crossing to Elephant Road, Kataban Road or the Palashi crossing.
At the New Market crossing, vehicles (except city buses) heading towards Mirpur Road will be diverted from the New Market crossing to the Nilkhet crossing, Azimpur crossing or New Market-Pilkhana Road.
From Friday, Saturday and March 26, 2025, until the day before Eid, the above diversions will be enforced periodically, the statement noted.
A separate lane (wide enough to accommodate at least three rickshaws) is being created on both sides of Mirpur Road from the New Market crossing to the Science Lab crossing for rickshaws.
All rickshaw drivers and passengers are specifically requested to use this designated lane.
In light of this, vehicles travelling in front of New Market on Panthapath and Mirpur Road are requested to follow the above short-term diversions and use the designated rickshaw lane in the New Market area of Mirpur Road.
"The DMP seeks everyone's cooperation in this regard," the statement concluded.
