Dhaka returns to status quo ante

Dhaka returned to its pre-lockdown situation as heavy rush of public and traffic jams were seen in almost all the key areas of the city on Thursday. A great many shoppers flocked to the shopping malls following the ease of lockdown ahead of Eid with many spotted without masks or just wearing them below their chins.

The government allowed all modes of public transports, including road, river, rail and air, to resume their services across the country on Thursday, relaxing the Covid-19 restrictions for eight days, ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.

 A number of buses were seen leaving their depots in the morning and plying on several busy stretches in Dhaka - Mirpur Road, Uttara, Banani, New Market and Mohakhali areas, to name a few.

Buses - both city and long-haul services - were seen carrying passengers at half their capacities. But such was the morning rush that several areas of the city witnessed traffic congestions, giving commuters a harrowing time on the roads.

Pedestrians, personal cars, motorcycles, rickshaws and other vehicles swelled on the streets of the capital since morning. Homebound passengers swarmed Mohakhali bus terminal from the morning, keeping it busy with inter-district buses leaving the terminal one after another. At that time, many passengers and drivers were seen indifferent to hygiene rules.

Meanwhile, people pouring into shops from 10am in Dhaka's major shopping malls and markets, including New Market, Chadni Chawk, Gausia Market, Noor Mansion, Chandrima Super Market and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall.

Crowds at New Market were seen buy crockery and kitchen ware. Clothing stores at Gausia were also packed. Several of the shopkeepers and buyers were seen without masks.

Sellers at various shopping centres and malls said, a large number of shoppers are present in the markets, and that the number will rise in the next one-two days as Eid approaches.

On the other hand, thousands of South Bengal-bound holidaymakers have thronged the Shimulia Ferry Ghat to cross the Padma River on ferries. Due to the extra pressure, freight trucks and private and public transport passengers on the Shimulia-Banglabazar route have to wait for a long time.

Abu Raihan Mohammad Saleh, joint commissioner (traffic north) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Due to the strict lockdown, many people couldn't step out of their houses. As soon as the lockdown restrictions were eased, people took full advantage of the same.

“However, police and other law enforcement agencies are keeping a strict vigil on the roads to ensure strict adherence to all Covid safety protocols,” he added.

A number of inter-district buses entering and exiting the city also contributed to the traffic jams. Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain said, “A huge pressure of vehicles has been seen since morning as all vehicles have started plying on the roads.”

Cattle markets will also be set up with the Covid-19 safety measures in place ahead of Eid. At least 19 temporary sacrificial animal markets, temporary sacrificial animal markets, are already seeing buyers and sellers coming in.

Besides, train and launch services also resumed operations across the country, keeping 50% of the seats empty, apparently to facilitate the movement of people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

On Monday, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon said the train tickets would be available online only to avoid any rush at the counters.

On June 22, authorities suspended the movement of all passenger vessels in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj to curb the spread of Covid-19 in these districts.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced its decision to suspend the movement of launches, speed boats and trawlers on June 21, following the Cabinet Division’s circular on the imposition of lockdown in these seven districts. However, the restrictions did not apply on the movement of cargo vessels and emergency services, and legal action will be taken against violators, according to the BIWTA notification. 

On Tuesday, the Bangladesh government decided to ease all lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

In a notification on Tuesday morning, the Cabinet Division said the lockdown restrictions would be relaxed from July 14 midnight to the morning of July 23.

However, strict restrictions will resume from July 23 and will continue till August 5, as per the order.

A record rise in the number of Covid-19 cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to enforce a nationwide stringent lockdown.

Public transports, including road, river, rail and air, remained suspended during the lockdown.