Roads across the city saw fewer cars, CNG auto-rickshaws and buses, while passenger numbers on public transport, including the metro rail, dropped significantly.
Deserted streets at Dhaka’s Bijoy Sarani on Wednesday. The upcoming election and public holiday have left the city’s major thoroughfares largely empty, with only a few private vehicles and scarce public transport in sight. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
“>
Deserted streets at Dhaka’s Bijoy Sarani on Wednesday. The upcoming election and public holiday have left the city’s major thoroughfares largely empty, with only a few private vehicles and scarce public transport in sight. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Dhaka witnessed unusually light traffic and thin crowds today (11 February), a day before the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum, as many residents left the capital to vote in their home constituencies and movement restrictions came into force.
Roads across the city saw fewer cars, CNG auto-rickshaws and buses, while passenger numbers on public transport, including the metro rail, dropped significantly.
With today and tomorrow (12 February) declared general holidays for the election, many residents travelled out of Dhaka yesterday (10 February) and continued leaving the city today.
Gone were the familiar crowds, long queues and rush to board metro rail services.
At Agargaon and Shahbagh stations, passenger numbers were noticeably low, leaving officials and staff engaged in passenger service with reduced workloads during the election holiday.
A metro train at Shahbag station’s platform on Wednesday. Photo: TBS
“>
A metro train at Shahbag station’s platform on Wednesday. Photo: TBS
Public transport operators reported fewer passengers on buses across major routes.
Some commuters faced difficulty finding transport as services operated with reduced frequency due to low demand and election-related movement restrictions.
Motorcycle movement has been prohibited nationwide from midnight on 10 February until midnight on 13 February as part of election security measures, contributing further to the quieter streets.
Shahbag metro station. Photo: TBS
“>
Shahbag metro station. Photo: TBS
Law enforcement agencies have intensified patrols across the capital.
Checkposts have been set up at key intersections, including Shahbagh, Hatirjheel, Kawran Bazar, Rampura, Farmgate, Mirpur, Banani, Gulshan, Badda and Uttara.
Officers were seen stopping vehicles, conducting searches and questioning individuals at various points throughout the city.
At Shahbagh, considered a key area in the capital, police stopped private cars and motorcycles upon arrival and carried out security checks.
Officials said the measures aim to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents ahead of polling day.
Residents described an unusually quiet atmosphere in the city. Tofazzal Hossain, a Dhaka resident, said he had never seen the capital so deserted, even during major holidays.
“The city seems like a ghost city, and empty. Most of the people who are voters in districts and hometowns have already left Dhaka with enthusiasm,” he told The Business Standard.
Some voters were still trying to travel to their constituencies.
Ratul Piul, 26, a first-time voter, said he struggled to find a CNG auto-rickshaw in the Baridhara area and had to wait around 30 minutes before securing a ride.
“I am going to vote for the first time. I came to Dhaka for work purposes. Now going to my hometown, Cumilla, I’m not sure whether I will be able to get a bus ticket. I might have to take local transport, and it will take long hours to arrive in Cumilla,” he said.
About The Author
