Pre-iftar rush paralyses Dhaka roads on first day of Ramadan

Dhaka traffic gridlock intensified just before iftar on the first day of Ramadan, as thousands of commuters rushed home simultaneously, bringing several key roads in the capital to a near standstill.

Heavy congestion was visible across busy neighbourhood streets in the late afternoon on Thursday, with private cars, buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and rickshaws packed tightly along narrow lanes. Vehicles moved at a crawling pace as office-goers and daily wage earners attempted to reach home ahead of iftar.

The pre-iftar rush, a recurring pattern during Ramadan in Dhaka, significantly increased traffic volume within a short time window. Many residents left workplaces early, while others stopped to purchase food and essentials, adding further pressure to already crowded roads.

Motorcyclists were seen weaving through limited gaps, while rickshaws and private vehicles struggled to manoeuvre through intersections. In several stretches, vehicles remained stationary for extended periods due to bottlenecks and roadside obstructions.

Urban mobility experts note that Ramadan traffic in Dhaka highlights structural weaknesses in city transport management. Limited road capacity, roadside parking, mixed traffic flow and insufficient coordination between enforcement agencies contribute to severe congestion during peak religious hours.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has previously deployed additional traffic personnel during Ramadan to manage the pre-iftar surge. However, the scale of the rush on the first day reflected the broader challenge of accommodating simultaneous outbound movement across the city.

Dhaka, one of the most densely populated capitals in the region, routinely experiences sharp traffic spikes before iftar, when families prioritise returning home to break their fast together. Without staggered office hours or enhanced public transport efficiency, congestion levels tend to escalate rapidly.

With Ramadan continuing over the coming weeks, traffic management before iftar remains a critical governance issue, requiring stronger enforcement, better route coordination and long-term urban transport reform to ease pressure on city roads.