On the first workday following an extended weekend, Dhaka experienced severe traffic congestion, affecting several key routes across the city on Sunday.

From 8am, there were severe traffic jams on major points, including Manik Mia Avenue, Khamarbari, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate and Mohakhali areas. Similar gridlocks plagued areas like Kawran Bazar, Banglamotor, Shahbagh and Moghbazar as well.

The city had enjoyed a relatively empty atmosphere due to a public holiday on Thursday in observance of Eid-e-Miladunnabi, followed by the weekend spanning Friday and Saturday, resulting in a substantial number of residents leaving the city. However, their return to work on Sunday caused a surge in traffic, creating delays for commuters.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Traffic Division said the return of commuters to work after the long weekend led to the increased traffic pressure. Privately owned vehicles flooding the roads simultaneously amplified congestion at various points throughout the capital.

The most critical congestion points were Asadgate, Khamar Bari, Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani, especially toward the airport. Residents reported prolonged wait times and instances of abandoning vehicles to continue their journeys on foot.

Commuter Md Mohsin, who boarded a BRTC bus at 9am, found himself stranded at Khamarbari for an hour. He expressed his frustration, stating that if the traffic remained as bad as it was, he would not reach his destination before noon.

Another commuter, Abdul Jalil, opted for a BRTC bus on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, hoping for a quicker route to Uttara. However, it had been an hour and the bus had not even reached Sangsad Bhaban, he said. 

Nayeem, a frequent Uttara-bound passenger who uses BRTC buses, lamented the worsening traffic situation in Dhaka, highlighting the daily struggles citizens faced. He noted that the city had become increasingly difficult to navigate, especially during rush hours, leading to significant work disruptions.

DMP Traffic Division Tejgaon Deputy Police Commissioner Shahed Al Masud acknowledged the congestion, attributing it to residents returning to work and students heading to schools and colleges after the extended break. 

He assured the public that traffic management efforts were underway and expressed optimism that the situation would improve before noon.