Dhaka grapples with traffic on first day of 7th phase of blockade

City Desk :
On the first day of the seventh phase of blockade enforced by BNP and like-minded parties, traffic congestion was reported on various key roads in Dhaka on Sunday morning.
Mainly, as educational institutions, offices, courts and shopping centres are open, many commuters including office-goers have faced severe traffic on Mirpur Road from Gabtoli to New Market, Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Bijoy Sarani, Jahangir Gate, Mohakhali, Banani, and Airport Road.
Public transport and private vehicles as well as motorcycles and rickshaws are seen more on the streets on Sunday, compared to the blockades of the past few weeks.
The long-distance buses and launch services remain suspended. However, most trains have left for their destination from the capital’s Kamalapur Railway Station.
Apart from this, a large number of leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League were found gathering around the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban since morning, as the names of the nominated parliamentary candidates of Awami League are scheduled to be announced in the afternoon.
As a result, heavy traffic gridlocks have been created on both sides of the road from Kalyanpur to Asad Gate.
On the other hand, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of BNP, led a procession in the Banani area in favour of the blockade.