Extended Lockdown: Vehicles aplenty on Dhaka streets

The second day of the latest phase of ongoing nationwide lockdown yesterday saw significant number of vehicles plying on the capital's different streets.

Despite it being a weekend, cars were seen waiting at traffic signals in the city's different parts including at Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar, and Moghbazar as vehicular movement increased yesterday, compared to the previous day.

Rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and private cars were seen on the roads, plying of public transports remained closed.

Besides, city dwellers were seen coming out of their residences without much reservation. 

A rush of vehicles of different vehicles including private cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles was seen at Mirpur-10 intersection around 11:30am.

At the intersection, on-duty traffic sergeant Rafiqul Islam also said there was pressure of vehicular movements in the intersection.

Many people came out of home as garment factories and other businesses kept open their activities, he said.

The traffic sergeant said they had questioned many commuters to know reasons behind their coming out of home.

Rafiqul said they filed at least four cases for violating rules and realised monetary fine of Tk 5,000 from those who came out of home unnecessarily as of noon.

Rickshaws were seen carrying passengers and plying on several of the main roads including in Nayapaltan, Shantinagar, Gulistan and Mahakhali areas.

Roadside shops inside different alleys were also seen open.

Meanwhile, a fair number of people were found enjoying the afternoon out in the open in Suhrawardy Udyan. Friends in groups, couples and cyclists were seen roaming around, while hawkers sold peanuts, tea and fried snacks.   

The latest shutdown, first imposed for 14-days until August 5, has now been extended till August 10 across the country.