No congestion on Dhaka roads despite slow traffic
Vehicle movement on the capital’s roads remained slow but largely free of congestion on Sunday morning, the first working day of the week, as government offices, courts and banks continued operating under the revised schedule for the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the government’s directive, office hours during Ramadan run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
A visit to different areas of the city, including Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, College Gate and Asad Gate, showed commuters gathering at bus stops from early in the morning to travel to their workplaces and other destinations.
Passengers boarded buses as soon as they arrived, while many were seen hanging from the doors due to overcrowding inside the vehicles.
Alongside public transport, a considerable number of private vehicles were also seen plying the roads.
Traffic police members were seen performing duties at different intersections to keep vehicles moving and prevent congestion.
Transport workers said that although traffic remained manageable in the morning, congestion might increase later in the day, particularly ahead of iftar.
An assistant to the driver of a Poristhan Paribahan bus said that they had not yet faced significant traffic congestion.
‘Traffic is moving slowly but steadily. However, congestion usually increases as the day progresses, especially before iftar,’ he said.
A commuter, Mehedi Hasan, who was seen hanging from the door of a bus, said that waiting for a less crowded vehicle was not an option.
‘There is no space inside the bus. If I wait for an empty one, I will not reach my office on time,’ he said.
Government offices had operated from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm until February 18. The schedule was revised following the beginning of Ramadan on February 19.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on February 8 after approval at a meeting of the advisory council, government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions will operate from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm during Ramadan.
A break for the Zuhr prayer will be observed from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm, while weekly holidays will remain on Friday and Saturday.
The ministry said that banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industries and other essential service providers would determine their schedules according to their respective laws and public interest. The Supreme Court will determine the schedules for itself and the courts under it.
The Supreme Court administration on February 11 issued a notice setting the Ramadan schedule for lower courts, stating that court proceedings will run from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday, while office hours will be from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm with the same prayer break.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank has revised the schedule for banking operations during Ramadan.
According to a circular issued on February 10, banking transactions will take place from 9:30am to 2:30pm, while office activities will continue until 4:00pm, with a break for the Zuhr prayer from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm.
KR/MHK