Traffic stalls as transport workers block Mohakhali road

Transport workers have blocked the road outside the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in Dhaka, bringing traffic to a standstill in both directions and causing severe congestion across the area.

Police Sergeant Belal Hossain, who was on duty in Mohakhali, said the workers had shut both sides of the road in front of the terminal on Thursday.

“The workers have blocked both sides of the road in front of Mohakhali terminal, causing severe traffic congestion across the area,” he said.

Police could not immediately say what demands the workers were pressing.

The protest comes after police recently began moving idle buses from Mohakhali to Purbachal, a step that has drawn discontent from bus owners and workers.

Transport workers have blocked the road in front of Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal, causing severe congestion across surrounding areas.

The traffic tailback spread from Mohakhali to Banani, Gulshan, Tejgaon and Satrasta after a group of workers parked several buses across both sides of the road as part of the protest on Thursday

Police Sergeant Belal Hossain, who was on duty in the area, said: “The workers have blocked both sides of the road in front of Mohakhali terminal. As a result, there is heavy congestion across the area.”

The protest comes amid anger over a recent police drive to move buses left idle in Mohakhali to Purbachal.

Transport workers say vehicles parked outside the terminal are being dumped and subjected to towing charges and fines.

Kamrul Hasan, who identified himself as a bus driver, said: “If they find a bus outside the terminal, police are dumping it and charging towing fees.”

He also said the parking area in Purbachal lacked adequate security.

“Even the batteries are being stolen from the buses. We want an end to this harassment. We will not lift the blockade unless these issues are resolved.”

Workers were heard chanting slogans against vehicle dumping, fines and alleged police harassment, while also demanding the resignation of an additional commissioner of police.

But police could not immediately confirm the full list of demands raised by the protesters.