What was meant to be a smooth and ceremonial afternoon turned into an unexpected walk to power.
Hours before the oath-taking ceremony, Sangsad Avenue and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue came to a near standstill.
Long lines of vehicles clogged the Manipuri area, with cars parked along both sides of the road. Traffic movement slowed to a crawl and at times stopped altogether.
As the clock edged toward 3:30 pm, several incoming cabinet members and advisers of the outgoing interim government found themselves stuck in the gridlock.
With the ceremony fast approaching, protocol gave way to practicality. One by one, they stepped out of their vehicles and began walking toward the Parliament complex.
Among those seen on foot were Dr Abdul Moin Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Abdul Awal Mintoo. Dressed for the occasion, they moved briskly along the crowded stretch, determined not to miss the schedule.
The scene quickly drew attention. Party leaders and activists lining the road greeted the ministers as they passed. The ministers paused to shake hands and exchange brief words. What began as a traffic ordeal gradually took on a festive tone.
Members of the Advisory Council faced the same situation. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain were also seen walking despite having police protocol. They, too, greeted members of the public along the way.
Eyewitnesses said vehicle pressure had been building since the morning. Heightened security arrangements and the arrival of numerous convoys for the national event combined to overwhelm the surrounding roads.
In the end, the ministers and advisors reached the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area on time and took their oaths as scheduled.
Officials later acknowledged that better coordination in traffic management is essential on major state occasions, especially around key national venues, to prevent such disruption in the future.