Large parts of Dhaka were brought to a standstill on Saturday after protesters blocked sections of the busy Rampura–Natun Bazar corridor, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting daily life across several neighbourhoods of the capital.
The demonstration, organised in protest against recent United States military action in Venezuela, led to prolonged delays along the Rampura Bridge, Badda Link Road, Natun Bazar and adjacent routes. Traffic movement slowed to a crawl, with long queues of buses, private cars and ride-sharing vehicles stretching towards Kuril and Mohakhali, according to commuters and traffic officials.
Many travellers reported being stuck for more than an hour, forcing some to leave buses and continue their journeys on foot. The area, which serves as a crucial link between eastern Dhaka and major commercial hubs, primarily affected office-goers, students, and emergency vehicles.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) confirmed the disruption, saying traffic officers were deployed to divert vehicles and manage congestion. “The protest caused significant obstruction on an already busy road. We worked to redirect traffic through alternative routes and restore normal movement,” a traffic police official said.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, demonstrators expressed their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their opposition to foreign military intervention. Similar protests have taken place in different parts of the world following the escalation of tensions involving Venezuela, reflecting growing public engagement in global political issues.
The congestion also exposed Dhaka’s long-standing traffic vulnerabilities. Urban transport experts note that even short-lived protests can paralyse large sections of the city because of limited alternative routes and chronic overcrowding on major roads. Dhaka regularly ranks among the world’s most congested cities, with commuters losing hours each day to traffic delays.
Police reported that most protesters had dispersed by late afternoon, and they gradually reopened sections of the road. However, traffic remained slow as vehicles cleared the backlog. Authorities urged motorists to avoid the Rampura–Natun Bazar route where possible and to follow traffic updates before travelling.
Normal traffic conditions were expected to return later in the evening, once congestion eased fully. The incident once again highlighted the impact of street protests on Dhaka’s fragile transport system and the broader challenges of managing mobility in a rapidly growing megacity.
