Authorities expect smooth and congestion-free traffic movement on the Elenga–Jamuna Bridge highway during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha as extensive traffic management and infrastructure improvement measures have been implemented under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2.
According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), vehicles are currently moving comfortably without major disruptions on the stretch from Elenga to the eastern roundabout of Jamuna Bridge.
To ensure safe and hassle-free Eid travel for homebound passengers, BBA Director (Planning and Development) and Joint Secretary Md Bhikaruddaula Chowdhury has been assigned to oversee round-the-clock monitoring in the Jamuna Bridge area.
In a statement, Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the Elenga–Jamuna Bridge section had long been a major bottleneck for northern region-bound Eid travellers in previous years.
He said several effective measures have been taken this year under the ongoing development project, including the integration of a newly constructed two-lane service road with the existing two-lane main highway, effectively ensuring four-lane traffic movement in the area.
“As a result, vehicles travelling both towards northern districts and Dhaka will be able to move smoothly without artificial congestion,” he said.
Authorities have also prepared a 700-metre two-lane rigid pavement road from the eastern roundabout of Jamuna Bridge to Ibrahimabad Railway Station for traffic use.
Officials said the Elenga Bazar flyover area has been widened to four lanes on both sides, while dedicated bus bays have been constructed to prevent buses from stopping randomly and causing traffic jams.
Additional safety measures, including concrete dividers, reflective stickers and bamboo markers, have been installed to assist drivers during nighttime travel and heavy traffic conditions.
Under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2, the highway from Elenga to Jamuna Bridge eastern roundabout is being upgraded into a six-lane corridor, including a separate two-lane service road.
For Eid traffic management, northbound vehicles are being directed through the newly built two-lane service road, while Dhaka-bound vehicles are using the existing two-lane main road.
The government has also introduced several special Eid measures at Padma and Jamuna bridges, including additional toll collectors, nonstop electronic toll collection (ETC), increased motorcycle lanes, CCTV-based traffic monitoring, emergency toll lanes, rescue vehicles, ambulance and medical support, fire service readiness and deployment of security personnel every 300 metres on the bridges.
Authorities expressed optimism that the ongoing infrastructure upgrades and coordinated traffic management efforts would help ensure uninterrupted and comfortable travel during Eid-ul-Azha this year.
