Severe Traffic Congestion Paralyzes Dhaka as Protesters Block Major Roads

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, was brought to a near standstill on Sunday morning, November 2, due to severe traffic congestion caused by simultaneous road blockades by various protest groups. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) reported that the disruption began early in the morning, leading to chaotic traffic movement across the city and causing immense suffering for office-goers and the general public.The widespread gridlock was a direct result of coordinated protests held by several organizations pressing for their specific demands. The primary locations affected include crucial points in the city’s central and commercial areas, such as Shahbag, Paltan, Motijheel, Press Club, Farmgate, and their adjacent roads. These arteries are vital for the daily commute, and their obstruction effectively choked the city's road network, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in long tailbacks.

Key Protests Causing the Blockade: The protests were organized by multiple groups, primarily gathering in front of the National Press Club and subsequently blocking the surrounding roads:

1. Ibtedayi Madrasa Teachers Unity Alliance: Demanding the inclusion of their institutions in the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.

2. Non-MPO Educational Institutions: Several organizations representing unrecognized disabled schools and other accredited but non-MPO institutions called for government recognition and MPO enlistment.

3. Job-Seeking Disabled Graduates: A separate group of disabled graduates seeking employment commenced a demonstration, blocking roads to press for their inclusion in job sectors.

4. 43rd BCS Non-Cadre Pass Outs: Candidates who successfully passed the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination but failed to secure a Cadre post were protesting for non-cadre appointments.

The collective action of these groups—teachers and job seekers—led to the complete disruption of normal traffic flow, turning the morning rush into a harrowing experience for Dhaka residents. The disruption was particularly severe in commercial hubs like Motijheel and government areas around Shahbag and Paltan.

DMP’s Response and Apology: The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) acknowledged the extreme public inconvenience caused by the unexpected road blockades. They confirmed that the police force is making its "maximum effort" to restore normal traffic movement and maintain order amidst the chaos.In an official statement, the DMP authority expressed their "sincere regret" for the heightened public suffering resulting from this "unanticipated increase in traffic congestion." They emphasized that while protests are a democratic right, the resulting road closures are causing widespread distress and hindering the smooth functioning of the city. The police are continuing to manage the situation, attempting to clear the blocked routes and implement diversions to ease the flow of vehicles.The incident underscores the recurrent challenge of managing public protests in a densely populated and traffic-prone city like Dhaka, where road blockades can instantly cripple the entire transportation system. The situation is a major blow to the daily life of commuters who depend on these routes for their work and essential activities.