Auto-rickshaw drivers blocked a road in the capital’s Basila area for around one and a half hours on Sunday morning, disrupting traffic and causing suffering for commuters.

The drivers staged the blockade from 9:30am to 11am, demanding the reopening of a U-turn for auto-rickshaw movement and an end to dumping activities.

Following police intervention and discussions with traffic officials, the drivers left the road and normal traffic movement resumed.

Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Traffic Division Tania Sultana told reporters that the drivers blocked the road in the morning and were persuaded to withdraw following discussions.

She said several U-turns have been closed due to frequent traffic congestion in Basila Char Matha area, causing problems for auto-rickshaw drivers.

The U-turns would be reopened from Sunday, she added.

She said the leaders of the auto-rickshaw drivers were instructed to use feeder roads instead of the main road. They agreed to follow the instructions and left the road, she added.

The drivers said they staged the protest in response to a warning by the road transport and bridges minister that auto-rickshaw operation in Dhaka city would be stopped within three days.

Saddam, a resident of Basila, criticised the repeated road blockades by drivers, saying such actions were unacceptable.