Gridlock grips New Market, vehicles stuck for hours
Traffic movement in the busy New Market area of the capital remained severely disrupted on Tuesday as a long tailback formed along Mirpur Road, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing immense suffering for commuters.
Witnesses said vehicles were barely moving through the New Market intersection and surrounding roads as congestion intensified during the busy hours of the day. The tailback stretched across different points of Mirpur Road, one of Dhaka’s most important and crowded thoroughfares.
Buses, private cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws were seen stuck in the gridlock for long periods, while frustrated passengers were forced to wait inside vehicles or walk to their destinations. Many commuters complained that it took them much longer than usual to cross the area.
Drivers said the situation began to worsen from late morning as traffic pressure increased around the popular shopping hub.
“Vehicles have been stuck here for nearly an hour. The road is packed from all sides and it is very difficult to move even a few metres,” said a bus driver waiting near the New Market crossing.
Passengers also expressed frustration over the prolonged congestion.
“I had to get down from the bus and walk because there was no movement at all. It is extremely difficult, especially for office-goers and students,” said a commuter heading towards the Science Laboratory area.
The New Market area, located along Mirpur Road, remains one of the busiest commercial zones in the capital and regularly experiences heavy traffic congestion due to the high number of vehicles and roadside activities.
Traffic police officials said the congestion was mainly caused by the large volume of vehicles entering the area at the same time, combined with roadside parking and the movement of shoppers and pedestrians.
Officials also noted that traffic pressure in nearby areas such as Science Laboratory, Nilkhet, and Dhanmondi often contributes to congestion at the New Market intersection.
Traffic police members were seen working on the ground to control the situation and ease vehicle movement.
Authorities urged drivers to remain patient and follow traffic rules to help reduce congestion in the area.
Frequent traffic jams in major commercial zones of the capital continue to highlight the broader challenge of traffic management in Dhaka, particularly during peak hours when thousands of vehicles move through limited road space.
