Traffic returns to normal in Uttara after 2-hour

Traffic movement in Uttara's Azampur became normal on Thursday noon after garment workers withdrew their road blockade, nearly two hours, causing severe gridlock on that road.

Mohammad Rezaul Karim, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Uttara Division, confirmed the development, saying the protesters left the road around noon.

The blockade had caused severe traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, particularly between Tongi Station Road and BNS Centre, as well as on the road between Khilkhet and Azampur. Commuters faced difficulties reaching their destinations.

Workers from several garment factories began blocking the road around 10:00AM, disrupting traffic during the morning rush hour.

The protesters said rising prices of essential commodities, house rents, medical expenses and children's education costs had made it difficult to manage household expenses on their current wages. They demanded salary increases in line with the rising cost of living, along with payment of outstanding wages.

Police and industrial police personnel were at the scene during the protest to maintain order and help restore normal traffic movement.

-EM/TF