Photo : TDM
As thousands of holidaymakers embarked on Eid journey from Dhaka to their hometowns, there is no notable incidents of traffic congestion reported thus far this year although apprehensions of massive traffic congestion on highways and disruptions in train schedules persist usually marking such occasions.
The government has implemented comprehensive measures to maintain discipline on roads and highways. It has been seen that although holidaymakers faced difficulties while leaving Dhaka due to traffic congestion, there is no significant congestion on the highways as reported by our correspondents.
Heavy traffic was observed yesterday above and below Mayor Hanif Flyover in Dhaka. The pressure of vehicles was particularly high near Aminbazar Bridge, the Gabtoli-Aminbazar area, and the Uttara-Abdullahpur section. Passengers heading to North Bengal encountered significant difficulties while trying to leave the crowded terminal and exit Dhaka. Prolonged congestion was experienced on Airport Road. Additionally, due to the cattle market in Gabtoli, congestion occurred before and after the Aminbazar Bridge.
The most notable problem arose from the congested roads and flyovers surrounding Sayedabad and the central bus terminal. It took a considerable amount of time to reach Sayedabad Terminal and board long-distance buses to leave the city's boundaries. Congestion was observed around Sayedabad Bus Terminal and its adjacent roads. Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover and the Toll Plaza were also heavily jammed. Similarly, traffic jams occurred on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and roads leading to Sayedabad Terminal from the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Expressway. Traveling through flyovers or accessing areas like Kajla and Dolairpar took a long time. Buses from different districts in the eastern, northeast, and southeast regions operate through the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, while the Bangabandhu Expressway connects the southern region via the Padma Bridge.
Due to an influx of passengers and vehicles, pressure increased on the Siddhirganj section of the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. Despite the increased number of passenger-carrying buses and private cars on the highway, congestion was minimal. Similarly, there were no traffic jams on the Sirajganj-Bangabandhu Bridge Western Connection Highway, despite the increased vehicle volume. The Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge highway experienced a significant increase in traffic. Approximately 30,000 vehicles crossed the Bangabandhu Bridge from Sunday (June 25) 6 am to Monday (June 26) 6 am. Slow-moving traffic was observed in the 13-kilometer stretch of the highway from Elenga to the eastern end of the Bangabandhu Bridge, where two lanes were dedicated to vehicle movement.
Ahsanul Kabir Pavel, the executive engineer of the Bangabandhu Bridge site office, mentioned that there is an increase in traffic during the Eid journey. To alleviate congestion, a total of 18 toll booths are collecting tolls at the eastern and western ends of the bridge.
Speaking to The Daily Messenger, Tarif Hossain, the general manager of SR Travels, stated that there were no significant traffic congestions on the highways of northern districts.
Furthermore, allegations have arisen regarding extra fare collection for commuter train tickets. On the third day of Eid, Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed an increase in crowds.
Passengers without tickets were not allowed to board the train online. However, there has been a reliance on lower-class compartments of commuter trains. Nonetheless, complaints have been made regarding excessive fare collection on those trains.
Passengers are given one seat if they purchase three tickets. However, despite the fare being 20 takas to Gajipur, they are charged nearly a hundred takas. Rahmat Ullah, a passenger heading to Gajipur, expressed his frustration, saying, "The ticket queue is so long. They gave me a ticket for 95 takas to Mohanganj instead of the 20-taka ticket. I want to go to Gajipur, but I have to buy the ticket at an extra cost."
In order to ensure a smooth and timely Eid journey for the homeward-bound people during Eid-ul-Azha, DIG, Additional DIG, Police Super, Additional Police Super, and higher-ranked police officials, along with additional traffic police officers, will be present on the roads for 24 hours.
Police Inspector General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun emphasised the collective cooperation achieved during the previous Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure a safe journey. The general public feels reassured, and individuals have been able to travel to their destinations safely and on time. Extensive preparations have been made to ensure a hassle-free Eid journey this time as well.
TDM/SD
