‘Roads won’t cause jams’

The communications minister has said homeward-bound passengers have no reason to worry as there will be no traffic congestions on roads.

“There have been no traffic jams in the last 10 days. There were no news reports either,” he said, after inspecting Mohakhali and Gabtoli bus terminals in Dhaka on Friday.

“Roads won’t cause any traffic jams this Eid. Passengers will be able to get home in time,” he claimed.

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Asked about makeshift road repairs, the minister said, given monsoon time, there was no better alternative where development work was underway.

He said there had been no complaints from transport owners and workers.

“We have identified and solved the problems. There will be no problems on Dhaka-Chittagong and Mymensingh highways during Eid next year,” Quader said.

The minister asked drivers to be cautious on the highways.

“Do not drive on the wrong side, and do not bring an unfit vehicle to the road. Remember, a 10-minute breakdown for your vehicle means a 100km-long tailback for the highway,” he said.

People began leaving Dhaka from Thursday, taking leave on the one or two working days remaining before Eid.

On Friday, the bus, train and launch terminals were bustling with home-going crowds.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police estimates that around five million people leave Dhaka during Eid.