Dhaka, Aug 4 (Just News): People across the country including Dhaka are facing an ordeal on the roads as transport workers continue their undeclared strike today due to the ongoing student movement demanding safe roads.
No long-distance bus left or entered Dhaka through Gabatali, a main entry point, since 8:00am, reports our photo journalist reports from the spot.
Many were seen going to their distance through pick-up van from Gabtali bus terminal.
Photo: Palash Khan
Mosharaf Hossain, general manager of Hanif Paribahan, told The Daily Star that some buses left Dhaka between Friday evening and midnight but no buses left Gabtali, Sayadabad and Mohakhali terminals this morning as workers were feeling unsafe following the student movement.
People are waiting for vehicles at Gabtali bus terminal on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Palash Khan
But they may run the night coach services today, he said.
No public transport was seen plying on Dhaka streets but BTRC bus since morning.
CNG-run auto-rickshaws are plying the roads as usual but the drivers are charging extra fare, commuters claimed.
Quoting some commuters, our photo journalist said pick up van owners in the morning offered their services from Gabatali bus terminal to Aricha Ghat with the fare of Tk 300 per head.
Earlier in the morning, transport workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha road in Aminbazar near Dhaka city this morning, obstructing to enter any bus coming from other districts.
Transport owners made the decision for fear of vandalism amid protests over the deaths of two students on Airport Road on Sunday.
The agitating students demand safety on roads through a total reform to the transport sector where corruption and mismanagement are rife.
Yesterday, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said the transport owners and workers stopped bus service due to insecurity.
Drivers were beaten up at some places, he told reporters after attending a milad mahfil at Mohakhali for one of the two victims -- Dia Khanam Mim whose father Jahangir Alam is a transport leader.
(Justnews/mi/1220hr)
