Traffic surges on street on 2nd day of lockdown
The next day of the brand new lockdown has seen a rise in traffic in Dhaka as the united states battles to curb rising cases of the coronavirus.
Many rickshaws are plying the streets of Rampura, Malibagh, Bijoynagar and Kakrail. Police personnel are stopping vehicles at checkpoints and checking for lockdown passes. Those without passes are fined and turned away. Some vehicles are seized. Citizens without passes are urged to stay home through loudspeakers.
"Many rickshaws have hit the streets today. I've come here by rickshaw from Rampura’s Chowdhurypara. I asked the driver why he was out today. He told me he does not have any option as he has to feed a family group of five,” said Sirajul Islam, an official at Islami Bank Hospital in Kakrail.
Some rickshaws were seen overturned at Kakrail and Nightingale Restaurant intersections each morning.
“Please tell the police officer release a my rickshaw. I made a blunder as I will have stayed in the alleys. I acquired caught by the authorities after arriving at Kakrail,” said Kalu Mia, a rickshaw-driver
All types of vehicles are banned through the lockdown, said a policeman at the Kakrail intersection. The rickshaw drivers are being punished for breaking regulations. Their vehicles will be released over time.
Eight autorickshaws plus some cars were stopped by the authorities at Bijoynagar for breaking regulations. None of the drivers has lockdown passes and you will be fined, said police personnel.
Your kitchen markets are open, while all of the shops are shut.
Hafeez, a security guard at Karnafuli market, said, "The retail center will stay closed until Apr 21. Shop owners and staff are barred from entering the mall.”
Various entrances to Purana Paltan Lane are closed.
"There is absolutely no way you can control vehicles without enforcing a strict lockdown. The coronavirus death toll is foreshadowing a significant catastrophe,” said Abdus Salam Talukder, a resident of Purana Paltan.
The residents of the region were told not to emerge from their houses, said Talukder. “We have allowed pushcart vendors in the region for trading foods and essentials. Most are benefiting from it because the infection rate is saturated in the market and it is risky to go there.”
The federal government imposed a strict seven-day lockdown from Apr 14 to regulate the spread of the virus. It will be in effect until Apr 21.
All offices, public transport, markets, shopping malls, shops, hotels and restaurants will stay shut through the lockdown. Factories will stay open and limited banking services will be available.
Citizens are not permitted to leave their houses aside from emergency purposes. Grocery and corner stores are allowed to operate.
