Unsanctioned rally by Chhatra Dal at Shahbagh leads to significant traffic congestion
In the bustling heart of Dhaka, traffic disruptions on August 3, 2022, caused chaos at the Shahbagh intersection. The culprit? A large stage erected by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists without proper coordination with the traffic department.
The stage, set up in the middle of the north signal crossing, caused severe congestion in the area, disrupting traffic flow and causing delays for commuters. Inspector Tariqul Alam Sumon, inspector of the Shahbagh traffic zone, expressed his frustration over the unapproved structure.
Despite the events being scheduled for the afternoon, traffic chaos reigned since morning. The roads around Shahbagh intersection became crowded due to the large-scale rally and stage setup by JCD activists, causing significant traffic disruption in adjoining areas such as Katabon, Elephant Road, and Nilkhet.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had anticipated heavy traffic congestion around Shahbagh and issued traffic guidelines and advisories for the public. However, the uncoordinated erection of the large stage and the massive gathering contributed to severe traffic blockades in this critical traffic hub.
Inspector Sumon found a huge stage built right in the center of the north signal when he arrived at 6am, causing severe traffic congestion. Commuter Dipto Surga experienced a one-hour travel time from Farmgate to Shahbagh due to the disruptions.
However, not all areas were affected equally. Mofizul Islam, DC lalbagh traffic division, reported normal vehicular movement in his area with no traffic congestion. Shamima Sultana, ADC traffic Tejgaon Division, noted slow vehicle movement on the Banglamotor to Shahbagh route. Overall, the traffic situation, according to Shamima Sultana, remained quite normal.
Inspector Sumon believes that with better planning, the traffic disruption could have been avoided. He suggests that the stage should have been placed near the south signal, facing towards Dhaka University, which would have allowed smoother vehicle flow and provided enough space for the event.
Before setting up a stage at a major intersection, it's essential to consult with the relevant traffic authorities, according to Inspector Sumon. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of coordination between event organizers and traffic authorities to maintain the smooth flow of traffic in a city like Dhaka.
Three rallies were taking place in Shahbagh on that day, organized by Chhatra Dal, NCP, and a cultural organization. Despite the advance apology from Chhatra Dal for the potential traffic jams, it appears the scale and preparedness were insufficient to prevent major disruptions.
The unsupervised large-scale rally and stage setup by JCD activists on August 3, 2022, at the Shahbagh intersection, a general-news topic, disrupted politics in the area as it caused severe traffic congestion, adversely affecting commuter Dipto Surga's travel. Inspector Sumon, expressing frustration, emphasized that collaborating with relevant traffic authorities prior to setting up such structures is crucial to prevent traffic disruptions, as demonstrated by this politics-related incident.
