DMP issues traffic guideline for commuters

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a set of instructions to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to city traffic centering the arrival of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The DMP requested the public to avoid the road from Gulshan-Banani to Uttara as much as possible and use alternative routes from morning to noon on Tuesday (May 6).

The authorities allowed motorcycles and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws to ply on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway on that day to reduce public inconvenience.

DMP requested all commuters to avoid the Airport Road from Gulshan/Banani to Uttara between morning and noon, and to use the following alternative routes:

* Travel via Abdullahpur–Kamarpara–Dhour Bridge–Panchabati–Mirpur embankment to reach Gabtoli.

* Use the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.

* Residents of Uttara and Mirpur are advised to avoid Airport Road and instead travel via House Building–Zamzam Tower–Sector 12 canal area–Uttara North Metro Station–Uttara Centre Station–Mirpur DOHS, or take the Panchabati–Sector 18–Mirpur embankment route.

* Travellers from Gulshan, Badda and Pragati Sarani can use the Police Plaza–Amtoli–Mohakhali route via Gulshan-1, then take the ramp near the Mohakhali Bus Terminal to access the Elevated Expressway towards Airport/Uttara.

* Northbound inter-district buses from Mohakhali Bus Terminal to Mymensingh or Tangail can use the Mirpur–Gabtoli route.

* Vehicles heading towards Airport or 300 Feet Road via the expressway should use the Mohakhali or FDC ramps instead of the Banani/Kakoli ramps.

* From 8:00am to 2:00pm, only light vehicles may pass through the Cantonment roads (Zia Colony, Jahangir Gate, Sainik Club, Staff Road).

* Autorickshaws and motorcycles may use the left-side safe lane of the Elevated Expressway between 7am and 1pm, subject to toll payment and a maximum speed limit of 40kph. Traffic police will be deployed to prevent speeding and lane violations.

* To reduce congestion, the DMP has coordinated with Bangladesh Railway to add a special shuttle train on the Kamalapur–Tongi route from morning to noon. All intercity trains will stop for two minutes at Tongi, Airport and Tejgaon stations to help ease passenger movement.

* Hajj pilgrims and outbound passengers, as well as SSC examinees in the area, must leave home with sufficient time to reach their destinations.

* Metro rail has been recommended as an alternative for residents of Mirpur and Uttara.

The DMP also issued several instructions for those welcoming Khaleda:

* No bags, sticks or similar items should be carried.

* No one is allowed to join the motorcade.