The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a set of 10 traffic directives to manage anticipated congestion and ensure public safety on Tuesday, May 6, during the return of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. She is expected to arrive from London after medical treatment and travel from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to her residence in Gulshan.

According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali on Monday, a large number of party supporters and general public may gather along the route from the airport to Gulshan to greet the former Prime Minister. To avoid traffic jams and maintain order, DMP has requested all concerned to follow specific guidelines and cooperate fully.

The DMP has urged the public to refrain from standing on the main road from Airport to Gulshan-Banani during the period from morning till afternoon on Tuesday. Instead, people are advised to stay on the footpaths to minimize disruption. Party leaders are requested to deploy volunteers to guide attendees away from the main road and onto the sidewalks.

In order to further ease congestion, DMP has recommended several alternative routes for commuters traveling between Gulshan-Banani and Uttara during the affected hours. Suggested detours include the Abdullahpur-Kamarpara-Dhour Bridge-Panchabati-Mirpur embankment to Gabtoli route, as well as using the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Residents of Uttara and Mirpur are advised to avoid Airport Road and instead travel via House Building-Jamjam Tower-Sector 12 Canalpara-Metro Rail Uttara North Station-Uttara Center Station-Mirpur DOHS, or via Uttara Center Station through Sector 18 and Panchabati to reach Mirpur embankment.

Passengers from Gulshan, Badda, and the Pragati Sarani areas are encouraged to avoid Kakoli, Gulshan-2, and Kamal Ataturk Avenue. Instead, they can use Gulshan-1, Police Plaza, Amtoli, and Mohakhali, then connect to the expressway via the ramp near Mohakhali Bus Terminal to reach the airport or Uttara. Vehicles traveling from Mohakhali toward Mymensingh and Tangail are advised to use the Mirpur-Gabtoli route.

For vehicles accessing the elevated expressway from Airport or the 300-feet road, DMP recommends using the Mohakhali or FDC ramps instead of Banani or Kakoli ramps.

The Dhaka Cantonment authorities, in response to DMP’s request, have allowed only light vehicles to pass through roads within the cantonment area—including Zia Colony, Jahangir Gate, Sainik Club, and Staff Road—from 8 AM to 2 PM. This provides another travel alternative during the expected period of congestion.

DMP further informed that the Elevated Expressway Authority has granted permission for CNG auto-rickshaws and motorcycles to use the expressway from 7 AM to 1 PM, provided they pay the designated toll, maintain a maximum speed of 40 km/h, and stay in the left safety lane. Additional traffic police personnel will be deployed to strictly enforce speed limits and lane discipline to prevent accidents.

To avoid road congestion, the public has also been encouraged to consider using trains, particularly the Dhaka-Joydebpur route. Bangladesh Railway, upon DMP’s request, has arranged for all intercity trains to make brief two-minute stops at Tongi, Airport, and Tejgaon stations from morning until afternoon on Tuesday. Additionally, a special shuttle train will operate on the Kamalapur-Tongi route during this time to accommodate the increase in passenger flow.

With the SSC examinations ongoing, DMP has advised examinees and Hajj pilgrims traveling to the airport to start their journeys well ahead of schedule to avoid delays due to potential traffic disruptions.

Residents of Mirpur and Uttara have been encouraged to use the metro rail as an effective alternative mode of transportation on the day.

As part of security precautions, DMP has requested those welcoming the former Prime Minister not to carry any bags, sticks, or similar items. Additionally, no private vehicles will be permitted to join the official motorcade transporting Begum Zia.

Moreover, no motorcycles will be allowed on the Airport-Gulshan-Banani route to accompany or move through the gathering crowd. However, if the route remains free of large public gatherings, motorcycles may be allowed to use it alongside regular traffic.

The DMP concluded the public advisory by urging everyone to cooperate and follow the given instructions in order to maintain public order, safety, and smooth traffic flow during the high-profile movement on Tuesday.