Less traffic on holidays, vehicle pressure rises in evening
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Traffic jams or the volume of vehicles in the capital remain considerably lower on weekly holidays than on regular working days. However, despite the lower traffic volume, there is no change in the duty schedules or rest arrangements of traffic police officers deployed on the roads. They have to continue performing their duties on holidays as usual, following the regular schedule.
Traffic police officer Alomgir, who was on duty in the Karwan Bazar area, said, “Although vehicle pressure on the roads is lower on Fridays and other holidays than on other days, they do not get an opportunity to rest. They have to perform their duties on holidays just as they do on regular days.”
Another officer on duty at the same location, Md. Tasnim, said, “On holidays, there are not many vehicles on the roads in the morning and at noon. However, the pressure starts increasing as evening falls. Since it is a holiday, many people go out with their families for shopping or to spend time outside, and traffic increases after evening because Bashundhara Shopping Mall is nearby.”
“I have to remain on duty continuously from 2 pm to 11 pm. A member of the next shift arrives at 10:30 pm,” Alomgir said.
However, he said they do not have to stay on duty in the same way late at night. He also said heavy vehicles operate during that time, and drivers are reluctant to follow instructions.
A similar situation was observed in the Banglamotor area. Traffic police officer Uttam Moitra, who was on duty there, said that on holidays, people generally finish their household chores in the morning and go out for shopping or to spend time outside in the afternoon or evening. That is why vehicle pressure increases after the afternoon. However, regardless of whether the volume of vehicles is high or low, traffic police officers always have to remain alert while performing their duties.
Meanwhile, Tejgaon Traffic Police Sergeant Md. Sohrab Hossain said that there is not as much heavy traffic on holidays or Fridays as on other days. The roads remain relatively empty throughout the day. However, some traffic congestion develops toward the evening because of increased movement of people. Referring to the fact that the pressure is even higher during the Eid holidays, he said with regret, “If there were as little traffic on the other days of the week as there is on holidays, Dhaka city would really look much more beautiful.”
