Eid-ul-Azha holidaymakers are likely to face severe traffic congestion on highways across the country as several road repair and construction projects remain unfinished, according to Highway Police.
Authorities have identified 94 accident-prone and congestion-vulnerable points on major highways nationwide. In addition, ongoing construction work and recent rainfall have disrupted traffic flow at four key entry and exit routes of the capital.
Highway Police said the vulnerable locations include 25 points on the Dhaka–Tangpur–Rangpur highway, 25 on the Dhaka–Chittagong highway, 21 on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway, 8 on the Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar highway, 7 on the Dhaka–Aricha highway, 7 on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway and 1 on the Dhaka–Barisal highway.
The worst congestion is expected at Ashulia Bypass in Savar, the Kanchan Bridge connecting road, parts of the Asian Highway, the Jatrabari area near Kanchpur Bridge and Elenga Bus Stand on the Dhaka–Tangail highway.
Other congestion-prone areas include Ashulia Bypass, Nabinagar, Savar Bazar, Gazipur Chourasta, Mirzapur, Gorai, Bangabandhu Bridge West Link Road, Kanchpur, Meghna and Gomti bridges, Daudkandi, Comilla Paduar Bazar, Feni Mahipal, Chakaria, Eidgaon, Ramu and Teknaf, among many others across the country.
To manage traffic pressure and reduce accidents during the Eid rush, Highway Police said special surveillance and security measures have been strengthened in the identified areas. An additional 1,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure safe travel for holidaymakers.
Additional DIG (Operations) of Highway Police Muntasirul Islam said CCTV monitoring is active on the Dhaka–Chittagong and Dhaka–Mawa highways. Drones will also be used to monitor traffic movement and overall highway conditions.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury stressed the need for strict road discipline to reduce congestion and suggested restricting rickshaws on highways during the Eid period.
