As public transport was allowed till this noon, workers of export-oriented factories were rushing to their workplaces in Dhaka and adjacent areas, causing massive traffic congestion on Bangabandhu bridge.
A circular from the Press Information Department (PID) last night said public transport would be allowed to operate till noon today to facilitate the workers' return to work.
After the circular was issued, the mad rush of passengers had come down at Pabna's Kazirhaat ferry ghat.
While talking to Md Shajahan Ali, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said, "After bus services resumed last night for a short time, several thousands of vehicles from the northern districts approached Bangabandhu bridge, forming a 22km tailback from Hatikumrul to Bangabandhu bridge."
Due to the huge rush, the vehicles are moving very slowly on the bridge, the OC said, adding that the highway and district police are trying to keep the situation under control.
Rush of the workers on the highway will continue for one to two days more, he said.
Many of the passengers were seen boarding trucks -- paying extra and not following health safety rules, reports our Pabna correspondent.
After the government allowed all export-oriented industries and factories to reopen from August 1, workers had crowded at Kazirhaat ferry ghat since early Saturday. Due to the heavy rush, most of the ferries were unable to carry vehicles. But the situation has changed today.
"As public transports were operating, there was no congestion at the ferry ghat. Most of the ferries are carrying trucks on Kazirhaat-Aricha route since morning," Sabbir Rahman, a BIWTA official at Kazirhaat ghat, told the Daily Star.
On Friday, a government circular said export industries, including garment factories, will be out of the ongoing 14-day lockdown's purview.
The sudden government decision left thousands of workers in the lurch.
