Lockdown: More vehicles on Dhaka roads despite curbs
Tribune DeskCoronavirus
As the days go by, the strict restrictions to be implemented during the week-long lockdown seem to be loosening.
Although the number of vehicles on the city roads was less at the beginning of the lockdown, now all types of transport except buses can be seen.
Moreover, the movement of people has also increased on the street despite the government imposing strict restrictions on their movement with 11-point directives to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Police were also found to be less strict at the check posts, reports Bangla Tribune.
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On Monday morning, no passenger buses were seen on the roads in different parts of Dhaka. However, many private cars, rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaw and motorcycles were seen plying on the roads.
In some places, the police have to handle the traffic as usual. Even minor traffic jams were observed at some signals.
In the morning, heavy traffic was seen at important check posts in the city including Hatirjheel, Bijoy Sarani, and Notun Bazar.
The presence of vehicles in Malibagh, Motijheel, Kakrail, Paltan and Shahbagh areas was also much higher than the past few days.
At the beginning of the lockdown, rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws were seen transporting one passenger at a time. However, now they are transporting two to three people.
There is not much supervision on part of the policemen in charge. Although there were some restrictions on office hours in the morning, as the day progressed, many traffic members were seen leaving the check post to rest in the shade of nearby trees.
A police officer on duty at the Rampura Bridge section of Hatirjheel said: "Whoever we stop falls under the 18 conditions of the government notification and we cannot take any action. That is why the traffic pressure is high.”