Severe traffic congestion was reported in and around Dhaka's Naya Paltan on Wednesday due to a rally titled “Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth”, organized by three BNP-affiliated bodies.

The situation has caused significant inconvenience for commuters and pedestrians alike.


The disruption was particularly acute during school dismissal hours, severely affecting students, teachers and guardians.

On-site observations revealed that hundreds of vehicles bound for the airport and Badda from Gulistan were at a complete standstill from Bijoynagar to Shantinagar–Mouchak.

Many passengers were seen disembarking and attempting to proceed on foot, while buses remained stranded mid-road.

The density of the crowd left no space for rickshaws on many roads and even walking had become difficult.

The rally resulted in severe gridlock in areas including Paltan, Gulistan, Matsya Bhaban intersection, Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Rajarbagh, Shahjahanpur, Bailey Road, Motijheel, Purana Paltan, Kakrail and Fakirapool.

These neighborhoods host several major educational institutions—such as Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Siddheswari School and College, Ideal School, Motijheel Model School, Notre Dame College and University, Habibullah Bahar College and Willes Little Flower School.

The simultaneous closing hours of these institutions further intensified the congestion.

Both main roads and alleyways remained gridlocked, with some parents seen walking with their children after failing to find available transport.

The parent of a child from Willes Little Flower School said: “I had no choice but to walk with my child after failing to find a rickshaw. But walking itself became a struggle due to the heavy crowd.”

Sajib, a driver for Victor Paribahan, who was stuck at the Kakrail intersection, said: “I have been stuck for over an hour. There is no way forward. Passengers have already gotten off and the surrounding roads are all similarly blocked.”