City commuters experienced a travelling bliss during the opposition’s mass contact programme yesterday as many citizens stayed at home and only a few public transport plied the streets for fear of trouble.
During the recent anti-government demonstrations and strikes, many commuters became victims of violence. The worst of all of them was tailor Bishwajit Das, who was killed in Old Dhaka during the opposition’s road blockade on December 9.
Though it was not a shutdown yesterday, the city thoroughfares were almost empty with a small number of cars, CNG-run three-wheelers and taxicabs.
“I needed to do some work in Motijheel, but I preferred to stay at home to avoid any hassle or facing damage to my car,” said Noor Ahmed, a resident of Pallabi.
Abdus Salam, driver of a CNG-run three-wheeler, said only around 30 percent three-wheelers operated yesterday.
He reached Motijheel from Kazipara in less then one hour around 8:00am, which takes around one and a half hours on any working day.
From Motijheel, he went to Dhanmondi in only 20 minutes, which is a one-hour trip.
Another three-wheeler driver Md Munna said the roads were almost empty like a strike day and they could move smoothly without waiting at any traffic signal on the way.
Kamrul Hasan, a resident of Shewrapara, said though he was worried about reaching his office on time, he could reach Gulshan-1 in only 25 minutes by a CNG-run three-wheeler, which usually takes one and a half hours.
Source:The Daily Star
