Expressway opens to motorcycles, CNGs to ease Airport-Gulshan congestion

In an unprecedented move, motorcycles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws were seen plying the Dhaka Elevated Expressway this morning, as the authorities temporarily lifted restrictions on their movement to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

The six-hour window -- from 7:00am to 1:00pm -- was granted in light of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's return to Dhaka from London today. Large numbers of party leaders and supporters have gathered along the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan to welcome her, prompting fears of severe traffic snarls.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) requested the temporary allowance to help manage traffic flow and reduce public suffering. The Bridge Division responded by authorising motorcycle and CNG-run auto-rickshaw access to the expressway for the day.

Each two- or three-wheeler is being charged a toll of Tk 20 to use the expressway, which typically remains off-limits to such vehicles due to safety concerns, according to a report of Prothom Alo.

The initiative appears to be helping divert traffic and ease pressure on key city roads, though long tailbacks remain in some areas due to the ongoing political event.