Automobile and CNG-run autorickshaw drivers staged a protest on Tuesday afternoon, blocking the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway to demand the mitigation of persistent traffic congestion. The demonstration took place at the Gouripur Bus Stand intersection, located on the Gouripur-Baburhat road, a vital link connecting Dhaka to Chandpur.
The blockade resulted in a severe traffic gridlock spanning approximately 12 kilometres, stretching from Gouripur to Eliatganj. This disruption caused significant delays for thousands of commuters, particularly those travelling home for the Eid-ul-Adha festival.
Causes of the Demonstration
According to reports from the Daudkandi Highway Police and local sources, the primary cause of the congestion is the slow pace of road construction and renovation on the Gouripur to Baburhat (Chandpur) stretch. Professional drivers expressed frustration over the inability to maintain their schedules or earn a consistent living due to the bottleneck.
Under normal circumstances, the half-kilometre stretch near the bus stand should be traversed in minutes; however, drivers reported that it currently takes between one and two hours to navigate this distance. Abu Hanif, a CNG driver involved in the protest, attributed the situation to the perceived negligence of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), stating that drivers were compelled to block the highway to draw attention to their plight.
Impact on Traffic and Commuters
The timing of the protest exacerbated the seasonal increase in traffic volume associated with the Eid holidays. The 12-kilometre tailback affected both private vehicles and public transport, leaving passengers stranded in the heat for an extended period.
| Feature | Details of the Incident |
| Location of Blockade | Gouripur Bus Stand, Daudkandi |
| Affected Highway | Dhaka-Chattogram Highway |
| Congestion Length | Approximately 12 Kilometres |
| Primary Grievance | Slow roadwork and chronic gridlock |
| Duration of Blockade | Approximately one hour |
| Key Authorities Involved | Highway Police, District Police, AC Land |
Official Response and Resolution
Upon receiving news of the blockade, personnel from the Daudkandi Highway Police, District Police, and the local administration arrived at the scene. Redwan Islam, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Daudkandi, engaged with the protesting drivers to mediate the situation.
Following official assurances that the road repairs would be expedited and traffic management improved, the drivers agreed to withdraw the blockade. Movement on the highway resumed after roughly one hour of total standstill.
Md. Iqbal Bahar, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daudkandi Highway Police, confirmed that the situation was brought under control through dialogue. He noted that while the drivers’ concerns regarding the road conditions were valid, the authorities worked quickly to restore the flow of vehicles to normal levels.
Assistant Commissioner Redwan Islam remarked that while the demands for better infrastructure were justified, blocking a major national highway during the busy Eid period was not an ideal course of action. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to repairing the damaged sections of the road promptly to ensure a smoother journey for both drivers and passengers. As of Tuesday evening, traffic flow on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway was reported to be returning to its regular state.