Dhaka-Tangail Highway Blockaded Over Electricity Demands
Collected Photo
Residents of affected areas staged a protest by blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway on Sunday, demanding an uninterrupted power supply. The blockade lasted for about an hour, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill in the Jamurki area and causing severe hardship for commuters.
The protest was joined by residents from Dubail, Natiapada, Sehratail, Islamnagar, and Poraikhali in Delduar upazila of Tangail, as well as residents of Mahera, Jamurki, and Pakulla in Mirzapur upazila.
The protesters said excessive load-shedding has been disrupting daily life for a long time. Students' studies, businesses, and everyday activities have been severely hampered. Despite repeatedly informing the concerned authorities, no effective solution was reached, forcing them to resort to blocking the highway. Later, officials from the electricity department arrived at the scene and held discussions with the protesters, assuring them of a swift resolution. Following their assurances, the agitated crowd withdrew the blockade, restoring normal traffic movement on the highway.
However, the protesters issued a warning, stating that if a permanent solution to the electricity problem is not provided within a specified timeframe, they will announce stricter programs in the future.
Mirzapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun said locals blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway demanding electricity. In response, officials from the electricity department came to the scene, and after their assurances, the blockade was lifted. This helped clear the traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.
Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman, Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Mirzapur Palli Biddut Samity, said locals blockaded the Dhaka-Tangail highway demanding uninterrupted power supply. Their demand was to connect Mirzapur Police Training Center to the power grid so that they would not face load-shedding. Locals believe that if the training center is connected, load-shedding would not occur. Later, they withdrew the blockade following the assurances given by the authorities.
