Severe traffic congestion gripped several parts of Dhaka as Islami Andolan Bangladesh held a grand rally at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan.
Passengers, drivers, and pedestrians faced immense suffering, with traffic coming to a standstill on most major roads across the city.
Hundreds of vehicles from outside Dhaka parked along roads in areas such as Gulistan, Jatrabari, Sayedabad, and Kakrail were seen on Saturday.
From midday onward, processions from different parts of the city moved towards Suhrawardy, starting from Gulistan and nearby areas. Similar scenes were witnessed on the stretch between Science Lab and Shahbagh.
As a result, public transport was forced to reroute through alternative roads. Vehicles heading toward Shahbagh and Farmgate via Matsya Bhaban intersection were using Hare Road and Kakrail instead.
Even riding rickshaws became difficult due to the crowds. Commuters and pedestrians also noted that mobile street vendors added to the overall suffering.
Leaders and activists of Islami Andolan, however, said that the large turnout was expected since such a major rally had not been held in a long time. They expressed hope that despite the temporary hardship, Dhaka residents would support their call for change.
