Revolution and Solidarity Day in Dhaka: concert and procession as traffic police warn of congestion

Several roads in the capital saw increased traffic pressure today, Saturday, around multiple large events marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The traffic division has advised city residents to be cautious when travelling in and around Manik Mia Avenue, the parliament building area, Tejgaon and nearby roads.

A 'Concert for Solidarity' is being held at Manik Mia Avenue. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organised the event to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The concert is scheduled to run from 3pm until midnight.

One lane of the road beside the south plaza of the National Parliament building has been closed since the morning for the event, where the concert stage has been set up.

In addition, a procession is due to start from in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan in the capital and head to the venue at Manik Mia Avenue. As a result, traffic pressure may increase in the afternoon on roads towards Nayapaltan, Kakrail, Farmgate, Asadgate and Manik Mia Avenue.

Meanwhile, a grand rally of village police has been under way since the morning at the National Parade Ground in Tejgaon. Around 40,000 village police have gathered, creating traffic pressure around the trade fair ground, Tejgaon and nearby areas. Traffic movement in these areas has been disrupted since the morning.

Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of the Traffic Division (Tejgaon) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said the concert stage has been built on one lane of the road beside the south plaza of the parliament building, which is why that lane has been closed. A partition has been placed in the middle of the opposite lane to allow traffic in both directions.

He said they hoped traffic pressure would be lower because it is a holiday, but traffic diversions may be introduced in the afternoon depending on how crowds build up.

If Manik Mia Avenue has to be closed completely, vehicles coming from the Shyamoli side will be diverted towards Lake Road, Khejurbagan and Kalabagan. However, police will try to keep traffic moving through Manik Mia Avenue itself by channelling vehicles rather than diverting them.

Rafiqul Islam also said that, alongside traffic police, members of various police branches, including the crime division, have been deployed on the ground. Police will remain on duty until midnight, while the programme continues, to keep the movement of ordinary people smooth.

Traffic officials have advised people who need to travel in these areas to leave with plenty of time in hand.