DMP restricts traffic around Bangabhaban ahead of Fakhrul’s oath

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced traffic restrictions around Bangabhaban ahead of the swearing-in of newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The restrictions will remain in effect from 3pm to 9pm on Friday, according to a public notice issued by the DMP.

Fakhrul is due to take the oath of office at 7:30pm, with Acting Speaker Kayser Kamal administering it. More than 1,200 guests have been invited to the ceremony.

The notice, signed by Amir Khosru, deputy commissioner of DMP’s Traffic Motijheel Division, said the outgoing president, the president-elect, prime minister, speaker, chief justice, former presidents, cabinet members, diplomats, senior government officials and other dignitaries are expected to attend.

Special traffic arrangements will therefore be in place to ensure their movement, although vehicles carrying invited guests will be exempt from the restrictions.

All vehicles will be barred from entering the stretch from the Alico Gap at Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar to the Dilkusha Commercial Area along Bangabhaban Road and the Rajuk Crossing on DIT Road.

Buses travelling from Shapla Chattar and Dainik Bangla towards Rajuk and Gulistan will instead be diverted via Dainik Bangla, UBL and the Press Club.

The DMP has also advised buses to use other convenient alternative routes if necessary.

Commercial vehicles will not be allowed to travel from Dainik Bangla towards Rajuk during the restricted period.

Vehicles coming from the Hanif Flyover have been instructed not to make a U-turn at Zero Point. They should instead turn left towards Phulbaria or right at UBL Crossing towards Dainik Bangla and Shapla Chattar.

The DMP has suggested Zero Point–UBL Crossing–Nightingale Crossing–Fakirapul Crossing–Shapla Chattar–Ittefaq Road as an alternative route.