Thousands Stranded After Residents Block Highway Over Gas Outage!

A severe gas shortage in the capital’s Jatrabari area led to a major public protest on Monday, causing a three-hour blockade on one of the busiest highways in the country. Frustrated residents of Shanir Akhra gathered in large numbers, taking to the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway shortly after 2 pm to protest the prolonged disruption in gas supply across multiple neighbourhoods.

Hundreds of residents, many holding banners and festoons, stood firmly on the highway chanting slogans such as “We want gas!” and “Break the syndicate’s black hands!” Their voices echoed across the highway as traffic rapidly came to a standstill. The demonstrators stated that they had been suffering for nearly three months without an adequate gas supply in several wards of Dhaka South City Corporation.

The protest created immediate and widespread disruption. A tailback stretching nearly 8 to 9 kilometres formed between Kanchpur–Madanpur and the Mayor Hanif Flyover, extending further into Gulistan and even towards Dhaka Medical College. Long-distance passenger buses heading into and out of Dhaka were stranded for hours. The gridlock caused immense suffering for commuters, with ambulances bearing critically ill patients stuck in the unmoving traffic.

Patients travelling to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and other healthcare facilities across the capital experienced severe distress as many were forced to endure long delays. Witnesses described scenes of people leaving their vehicles and walking along the sides of the highway in hopes of finding alternative routes to reach hospitals or workplaces.

According to protestors, the gas crisis has devastated daily life. Residents reported that entire sections of Ward 58 to Ward 62—including Sheikhdi, Dania, Italy Market, Rasulpur, Kutubkhali, Palashpur, Jontabang, Shyampur, Merajnagar and Kadamtali—have been without reliable gas supply for months. With an estimated population of nearly three lakh in the affected areas, thousands of families are unable to cook at home.

As a result, people have been compelled to rely on hotel-prepared food or survive on dry goods, creating significant financial strain. Many families with elderly members, young children, or individuals with health conditions reported facing disproportionate hardship due to the unavailability of home-cooked meals. Residents also blamed the growing number of high-rise buildings—estimated to be between 200 and 400 in the area—for increasing pressure on the already strained gas distribution network.

Traffic police officers attempted to manage the situation, but the sheer scale of the blockade made it nearly impossible to restore movement until intervention came from authorities. Around 3:30 pm, police approached Titas Gas officials and held discussions on-site. After assurances that gas supply issues would be addressed promptly, the protestors agreed to withdraw from the highway.

Assistant Commissioner Md Abdullah-el-Baki of Wari Traffic Division later confirmed that residents had blocked the highway for several hours. “They were protesting for gas. After police convinced them and cleared the area, traffic gradually returned to normal,” he said.

Although the blockade has ended, residents insist that a long-term solution is urgently needed. Many warn that similar demonstrations may occur again if authorities fail to restore uninterrupted gas services.