Dhaka’s streets plunged into chaos this week as ceaseless demonstrations, protests and blockades over a range of demands brought traffic to a grinding halt, causing severe disruptions to daily life amid crippling snarl.
The ongoing wave of unrest, led by political parties and student organizations, has brought key intersections such as Shahbagh, Kakrail, and Matsya Bhaban to a standstill.
On Thursday, simultaneous blockades by various protest groups almost totally paralysed major traffic routes across the capital.
Supporters of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain sealed off Kakrail to Matsya Bhaban area from dawn, demanding his immediate installation as Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor, while Chhatra Dal activists paralysed Shahbagh intersection from 10:00am with demands for justice over their leader Shahriar Alam Samya’s unsolved murder.
“The city has become unliveable,” said Farzana Afrin, abandoning her rickshaw near Banglamotor as she was stuck up for almost two hours. “I needed to reach Dhaka Medical College for my mother's treatment, but even ambulances can't move through such a crowd.”
The crisis reached catastrophic proportion when afternoon rain flooded Dhanmondi and New Market areas, creating a storm of protest blockades and waterlogging. Such scenes have become an almost daily phenomena, daily nightmares for commuters, in Dhaka. Various individuals and groups block roads in the name of fulfilling their demands, leaving city dwellers to suffer immensely with no apparent solution in sight.
On Thursday, hundreds of vehicles were stuck in gridlock at Science Lab, Panthapath, Banglamotor, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, and Bijoy Sarani. With Shahbagh to Hotel Intercontinental fully blocked, even the adjacent alleys, lanes and by lanes became immobilised.
Traffic was completely halted from the Jatiya Press Club towards Shahbagh and from Shahbagh toward Paltan and Gulistan. Public transport drivers remained idle while most passengers were forced to walk to their destinations.
Between 2:00pm and 4:00pm, intense traffic was observed at Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Manik Mia Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Rampura, Mohakhali, Banglamotor, and Asad Gate. Roads in Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, and Banglamotor were entirely clogged, with vehicles not moving at all. Similar scenes were reported from Asad Gate and Manik Mia Avenue.
Transport workers voiced frustration, saying daily road blockades are causing massive financial losses. Even if they go to work, they often return empty-handed and struggle to meet vehicle rental costs.
Shariful Islam, a driver on the Gulistan-Airport route, said it took him over two and a half hours just to travel from Bijoy Sarani to Karwan Bazar. Many passengers got off and walked to their destinations.
Monirul Islam, a commuter heading from Shahbagh to Mohammadpur, said, “Nothing has moved since morning. Walking is the only option. Let’s see how far I can go.”
CNG autorickshaw driver Hanif Mia said, “Since morning, I’ve only managed one trip. I’ve been stuck in traffic since then. If I remain blocked all day, how will I pay the vehicle owner or support my family?”
Pickup driver Naeemul Islam said, “No matter what happens in this city, it’s always the general public who suffer. Ishraq and Asif may have issues, but his supporters should go to his house, not block the roads and cause suffering.”
Traffic Sergeant Nafis Ahmed of Ramna Zone said that seven major points were blocked since morning. “No vehicles are moving. We have no solution unless the demonstrators clear the roads. Large vehicles are even entering narrow lanes, worsening the jam.”
Hasan, a businessman from Azimpur, said he urgently needed to go to Motijheel for work. Even with a motorcycle, he was stuck at Matsya Bhaban for over 30 minutes.
According to Google Maps and updates from traffic alert groups on social media, blockades and rain-induced congestion have spread to Moghbazar, Karwan Bazar, Panthapath, Airport Road, Khilgaon, Malibagh, Rampura, Hatirjheel, Mohakhali, and many more areas across Dhaka.
With over 20 million residents—twice the city's capacity—Dhaka has become a hotspot for protests. At the slightest issue, the streets erupt with demonstrations, blockades, and rallies. These frequent disruptions are leading to complete paralysis and mounting public suffering across the busy metropolis. Traffic jams continue to escalate, as does public distress. No one seems to know when the situation will ease.
In recent weeks, various protests have included demands for justice in the murder of rape victim Asiya, demonstrations by polytechnic students, intern doctors, calls for banning the Awami League, protests by those injured in July movements, Jagannath University students, diploma nurses, and groups both supporting and opposing CNG ban on main roads. Most recently, Ishraq Hossain’s supporters are demanding his installation as DSCC Mayor.
These movements, while raising important issues, are leaving the general public desperate for relief from the endless suffering caused by citywide disruptions.
