DMP issues traffic guidelines ahead of Khaleda Zia’s arrival

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to receive a grand reception from party leaders and supporters upon her return to Dhaka on Tuesday.

Supporters are expected to line the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan to welcome the former Prime Minister, prompting the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to issue traffic and safety directives to minimize disruption.

In a public notice issued Monday, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali urged the public to cooperate and follow the guidelines.

Khaleda Zia is scheduled to arrive via air ambulance at 10:30 am on Tuesday.

The DMP has requested that people refrain from occupying roads between the airport and Gulshan/Banani from morning until noon. Instead, supporters should remain on pavements to allow uninterrupted traffic flow. Political parties have been asked to deploy volunteers to help manage the crowd.

To avoid congestion, commuters are advised to use alternative routes during the morning and midday hours. Suggested routes include:

Residents of Uttara and Mirpur should avoid the Airport Road and instead use the House Building-Jamjam Tower–Sector 12 Khalpar–Uttara North Metro Station–Uttara Centre Station–Mirpur DOHS route, or via Sector 18-Panchaboti–Mirpur Beribadh;

Travellers from Gulshan, Badda, and Pragati Sarani areas are advised to avoid Kakoli, Gulshan-2, and Kamal Ataturk Avenue and instead travel via Gulshan-1/Police Plaza–Amtali–Mohakhali, using the Mohakhali Bus Terminal ramp to access the Elevated Expressway.

Vehicles from the Mohakhali Bus Terminal bound for Mymensingh and Tangail are advised to travel via the Mirpur-Gabtoli route.

Vehicles using the Elevated Expressway from Airport/300 Feet Road should use the Mohakhali or FDC ramps instead of Banani/Kakoli ramps.

Responding to DMP’s request, the Dhaka Cantonment Authority has permitted light vehicles to use roads within the cantonment area (Zia Colony, Jahangir Gate, Sainik Club and Staff Road) from 8am to 2pm.

The Elevated Expressway authorities have also allowed CNG auto-rickshaws and motorcycles to use the expressway from 7am to 1pm, subject to toll payment and adherence to a maximum speed limit of 40km/h. These vehicles must use the expressway’s left-side safe lane.

Traffic police will be deployed to prevent overspeeding and unauthorised lane changes.