Citing traffic congestion as a major problem of the capital, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said no rallies or processions would be allowed anywhere in the city on weekdays.

He also directed the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) to formulate a policy in this regard.

Quader, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was speaking in a meeting of the DTCA at the Nagar Bhaban.

He said political parties would hold rallies and processions ahead of the upcoming general election, which would create traffic jams on the streets.

No social, cultural and political organisations will be allowed to hold rallies or bring out processions blocking the streets, Quader said.

Apart from this, government and non-government organisations will not be permitted to bring out processions to mark their founding anniversaries on working days, the minister went on to say.

"We have announced that we would not hold any programme in Dhaka on working days and we are still following this. Then, what is the problem of other parties?"

He said the 70th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League was on Thursday, but the BCL men brought out its procession on Saturday instead, considering traffic congestion.

"Despite this, there was a bit of traffic jam. However, it was at a tolerable level," Quader claimed.

He also asked Dhaka Metropolitan Police to take action against bike riders who carry more than one pillion.