The renovation of Postogola Bridge (Buriganga-1) started on Thursday. Authorities in charge are concerned about potential traffic congestion in 21 districts, including Dhaka, during the renovation work from 22 February to 8 March, as traffic movement on the bridge will remain halted.

As the Postogola Bridge is closed, the traffic is moving through Babubazar Bridge as an alternative road. Due to plying extra vehicles on this route since morning, this caused a long traffic jam.

All types of foot-driven rickshaws, foot-driven vans, auto-rickshaws, push vans, three-wheelers, auto-rickshaws for the disabled have completely been banned at Babubazar Bridge to ease traffic congestion.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Piyush Kumar Dey said, “We are working to clear the traffic in Babubazar Bridge area. As the Postgola Bridge renovation will continue till March 8, we have taken additional measures on both sides of the Babubazar Bridge.”

Keep it in mind, representatives of seven organisations concerned, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), convened a meeting recently at the DMP office.

A decision was made to address the anticipated traffic congestion and identify alternative routes. The meeting agreed to adhere to the notification issued by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) during the renovation period.

According to the RHD notification, guidelines have been provided for alternative routes for vehicles travelling on that road.

Following the meeting, DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Munibur Rahman informed reporters, “We have discussed possible alternative routes with all parties concerned for heavy vehicles coming to Dhaka from outside. We have deliberated on how DMP can assist others and vice versa.”

A public notice has been issued regarding this matter, he added.

The public notice categorises possible routes into two types – heavy vehicle and light vehicle, he further explained.

Six districts of Barisal division (Barisal, Bhola, Barguna, Jhalkathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur), 10 districts of Khulna division (Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Kushtia, Narail, Magura, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga, Meherpur), and five districts of the erstwhile greater Faridpur part (Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajbari) have been instructed to adhere to the general guidelines from 22 February for vehicle movement.

Vehicles entering and exiting the Dhaka metropolis should follow the Daulatdia, Paturia, Nabinagar, Aminbazar, and Gabtali routes. Passenger buses will halt at Gabtali instead of Sayedabad.

Other districts of Dhaka division (Parts of Dhaka, Manikganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Kishoreganj, and parts of Tangail) should use the Asian highway via Daulatdia, Paturia, Nabinagar, Bypail, Chandra, Bhogra intersection.

Rajshahi and Rangpur division-bound vehicles will have to use the Lalonshah Bridge (Kushtia, Pabna).

Lalonshah Bridge and Bangabandhu Bridge should be used for partial travel in Mymensingh Division and Tangail District.

Vehicles of Sylhet division and Brahmanbaria district will need to use the Asian Highway via Daulatdia, Paturia, Nabinagar, Bypail, Chandra, and Bhogra intersections.

Vehicles travelling in the Chattogram division will use Padma Bridge, Srinagar, Munshiganj, Muktarpur Bridge, Third Shitalakshya Bridge, Madanpur route, or use the ferry on the Shariatpur-Chandpur route.