DMP issues two-day commuting restrictions in Dhaka for AL National Council

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a commuting restriction in the capital asking the public to avoid certain roads for the next two days during the 20th National Council of the ruling party.

The DMP in a statement, released to the media on Friday, gave detailed outline of the roads that will remain closed during the event starting from Saturday at Suhrawardy Udyan and urged people to follow the instructions to ensure safe travels.
 
Following is the route closure and diversions the DMP put in place:
 
>> Until 8am Saturday, all vehicles coming from Bijoy Sarani taking the VIP Road must turn right at the intersections at Shahbagh and TSC of Dhaka University.
 
>> Starting from 8am Saturday, no vehicle will enter the VIP Road until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaches the council venue at Suhrawardy Udyan. During that time, vehicles coming from Uttara will take the road under Mohakhali Flyover and continue through Mohakhali bus terminal, Moghbazar flyover, Kakrail church, Rajmoni crossing, Nightingale, UBL, Zero Point, Abdul Gani Road, High Court crossing and Doel Chattar to Dhaka University.
 
>> Vehicles coming from Mawa will take the route through Babubazar, Gulistan, Zero Point, Abdul Gani Road, Old High Court crossing and Doel Chattar and Dhaka University.
 
>> All vehicles coming from Chittagong and Sylhet divisions through Jatrabarhi and Kanchpur must take the route through Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, Chankharpul, Doel Chattar, Bakshi Bazar and Dhaka University.
 
>> Vehicles will be allowed to use the VIP Road (from Bijoy Sarani, Sonargaon crossing, Banglamotor, former Ruposhi Bangla, Shahbagh and Dhaka University’s TSC) after the prime minister enters Suhrawardy Udyan.
 
>> The roads at Matsya Bhaban and Kakrail intersections and the VIP Road will remain closed for two hours prior to the prime minister’s departure from the council venue. During that time, vehicles coming from the south will be able to take the route through Kadam Fountain, UBL, Nightingale, Kakrain church and Moghbazar to Mohakhali.
 
>> Vehicles coming from Gabtoli, Mirpur, Mohammadpur and Dhanmondi will take the Mirpur Road to go through Manik Mia Avenue, Rasel Square, Science Lab crossing, New Market crossing and Nilkhet crossing to Dhaka University or through Azimpur crossing and Palashi crossing to the university.
 
Roads that will be closed from 7am Saturday
 
>> Roads towards Farmgate from Manik Mia Avenue or Panthapath from Rasel Square will be closed. Vehicles of these roads will have to take either Science Lab-New Market-Azimpur-Palashi-Jagannath Hall crossing route or New Market-Nilkhet-Fuller Road route to enter Dhaka University.
 
>> The Kataban-Shahbagh road will be closed. Vehicles of this road will have to turn right at Kataban intersection and go through Nilkhet crossing to enter Dhaka University.
 
>> Road from Dhaka University’s TSC to Doel Chattar will remain closed on both sides.
 
>> Both sides of the road from Shahbagh to Matsya Bhaban will remain closed.
 
>> Road from Doel Chattar to High Court crossing will be closed. But the traffic on the opposite side will remain open.
 
>> No vehicles will be allowed from UBL to Kadam Fountain.
 
>> Road from Kadam Fountain to Matsya Bhaban will rmain closed too.
 
>> Road from Kakrail church to Kakrail mosque will be closed.
 
>> Carpet lane, Paribagh gap, Shilpakola Academy gap, Mintu Road crossing and Officers’ Club intersection will be closed. No vehicles from these areas will also enter the VIP Road.
 
Car parking
 
>> No car parking will be allowed on Abdul Gani Road, which is in front of the Secretariat.
 
>> Cars and other vehicles will be allowed to park at Gymnasium ground, Mall Chattar and the streets in Dhaka University campus.
 
>> The vehicles of the MPs will be allowed to park in the area between Ramna Restaurant and Dhaka Club if they do not find space in the council venue.
 
Security beefed up
 
After a visit to Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters that police and other law enforcing agencies have taken foolproof security measures.
 
The areas between Nilkhet and Matsya Bhaban will be under CCTV camera surveillance during the council, he said. Three cells will monitor them.
 
Hoque said plainclothesmen will also be deployed in these areas apart from regular uniformed policemen to maintain security.
 
Law enforcers will frisk everyone and conduct additional searches if necessary at all entrances of Suhrawardy Udyan, he added.
 
[Additional Reporting by Dhaka University Correspondent]