Time Digital Report: Commuters in the capital are facing trouble getting public transport ahead of the BNP rally, scheduled to be held around 11:00 am today at Goalpbagh field, as fewer buses are plying the city roads.

Since morning, Awami League took positions at different important places including in front of AL Helal Clinic in Mirpur-10, Shewrapara, Farmgate intersection, the opposition of green Supermarket, Shahjahanpur intersection, and other areas.

Police were also seen at different intersections. However, the presence of law enforcers was significantly higher in Shewrapara, Chandrima Udyan intersection, Mohammadpur, and Farmgate areas.

Seeking anonymity, a private job seeker said he started from Mirpur 10 to farmgate around 8:15 am.

"There was no public bus at the stand. I took a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. While going towards Farmgate, not a single bus crossed me. I didn't see any public buses on the opposite side either," he said.

Uttara Azimpur road. Photo: Sajjad Hossain.

Public buses were hardly seen at Panthpath and Kalabagan areas on Mirpur Road, and Mahakhali, Mirpur 1, Gabtoli, and Uttara areas.

Many residents also alleged those rickshaw pullers and auto-rickshaw drivers were charging extra fares.

Meanwhile, residents of Farmgate, West Raza Bazar, Indira Road, and Tejturi Bazar areas said that most of the shops, including groceries, restaurants, and tea stalls, have been closed since this morning.