Programme, demo cripple Dhaka

Inaugural of the Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover and a road blockade enforced by nursing students at Shahbagh led to traffic sufferings for the Dhaka dwellers this morning.

Agonised, public resorted to sarcastic comments such as “Avoid Dhaka city for atleast two hours” in the Facebook group Traffic Alert – a forum to share dynamic traffic experience in the capital.

Traffic from Mohakhali to Dhanmondi, Gabtoli to Shyamoli, Kalyanpur to Agargaon, New Market to Kalabagan, Mirpur-1 to Gulshan and airport road was sloth, sufferers said in the Facebook group.

Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a section of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover. Traffic around the area at that time was curbed due to VVIP movement.

Shortly afterwards, nurses of different hospitals blocked Shahbagh – a key intersection – demanding government recruitment of nurses on basis of performance and seniority.

Vehicular movement on the road remain halted following the blockade began around 10:30am, said Shabagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Bakr Siddique.

The blockade affected commuters travelling from Dhanmondi, Uttara, Farmgate, Tejgaon, Gabtoli and other adjoining areas to Motijheel, the commercial hub of the city.