Business Eye Report
Dhaka city witnessed widespread disruption on Tuesday as quota reform protests brought public transportation to a standstill, leaving commuters stranded and exacerbating traffic congestion.
Long queues formed at all metro rail ticket counters as commuters sought alternative transport amid the scarcity of buses and public vehicles. The shortage of buses and other public vehicles compounded the transportation woes, forcing many commuters to wait extensively or resort to walking to their destinations.
Passengers were observed waiting for transport at key locations like Shahbagh, enduring extended wait times due to the limited availability of vehicles. Quota reform demonstrators blocked several major thoroughfares including Pragati Sarani, Gabtoli, Science Lab, Airport area, Dhanmondi, Mohakhali, Motijheel, Kuril, Badda, and Sadarghat, intensifying the city's traffic congestion.
Many passengers were seen waiting at Shahbagh, hoping for the arrival of available vehicles.
The wait time for public transport stretched longer than usual, with many opting to walk to their destinations due to the lack of available options.
Quota reform protesters also blocked key roads, including Pragati Sarani, Gabtoli, Science Lab, Airport area, Dhanmondi, Mohakhali, Motijheel, Kuril, Badda, and Sadarghat.
This blockade significantly disrupted the flow of traffic, causing delays and gridlocks across the city.
Commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and consider alternative routes to avoid heavily congested areas.
Jahanara Begum, who had just received treatment at a government hospital in Tejgaon, was returning with her mother when they got stuck at the Karwan Bazar rail gate area and had to walk to the intersection.
Bus driver Salam Hossain said he got stuck around 11:30am at Farmgate. "All the passengers got off. There's no way to turn the bus around. My day's earnings are lost."
At Kalshi intersection in Mirpur, Soniya Akhter waited over an hour for a bus but couldn't find any public transport. "Even when a bus came after a long time, there were so many passengers that I couldn't get on. I don't know how I'll get to the office," she added.
Nusrat Jahan, stuck at Panthapath intersection, said, "I had urgent work. But the jam has extended to Dhanmondi. People are suffering a lot. I've been sitting on the road since 11:00am, and it's now 2:00pm."
Mehedi Hasan was caught in the blockade while taking his mother to Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi from Old Dhaka. "I was taking my mother to the hospital for her chemotherapy," Mehedi told the Business Eye.
"No one let us through, even though I showed the students the medical papers," he said, adding, "I don't have any problem with the students' protest. However, how long will the people suffer?"
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