Although the number of public transport remained lower than usual, traffic congestion surged at various points in the capital due to a sudden rush of vehicles on Wednesday.
City residents, particularly office-goers, were seen rushing to their destinations, causing traffic jams at numerous intersections from the early morning hours.
Despite the reduced number of public buses, private vehicles such as motorbikes, cars, rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws were on the roads in significantly higher numbers.
A visit to different parts of the city revealed that many office-goers faced difficulties reaching their workplaces on time, while some people had to return home without reaching their destinations due to the traffic congestion and shortage of public transport.
Besides, rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers were reportedly charging excessive fares, taking advantage of the vehicle shortage.
“I faced a lack of vehicles and traffic jams on my way to the office, which has reopened after three days,” Jewel, an official at a garment factory, told the Daily Sun.
Traffic police sources indicated that the rush was due to offices and factories reopening for limited hours, causing people to travel hurriedly within the available timeframe. Offices and factories, including garment factories, banks, and stock exchanges, reopened on Wednesday as the government relaxed the curfew from 11 am to 5 pm.
