Heavy traffic at Meghna Bridge upends Eid bus schedule in Dhaka

At least three hours of wait at the bridges on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway has delayed start of bus journey for homebound Eid-ul-Fitr holidaymakers in the capital.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 June 2017, 08:48 PM
Updated : 22 June 2017, 08:48 PM

The buses from Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur and other southern districts to Dhaka had to wait for hours on end at the Meghna-Gomati Bridge, Meghna Bridge, and Kanchpur Bridge on Thursday afternoon.

Vehicles bound for 21 southern districts have to cross the Meghna-Gomati Bridge. The toll collection at the bridge takes more time now after the development of the highway to a four-lane one. The situation worsens if any vehicle breaks down.

Ekushey Express, which operates buses on Dhaka-Noakhali route, stopped selling tickets in the evening due to a shortage of buses.

An Ekushey worker at Sayedabad Bus Terminal, who identified himself with only one name, 'Sabuj', said their 52 buses left Dhaka until 9pm, but no bus could arrive in the capital after 12pm.

"That's why we've stopped selling tickets," he said.

The pressure of Eid travellers was very high as it was the last working day before the Eid. The holidaymakers started for Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali and Sayedabad terminals after the office hours to catch buses for their home districts.

Those who had bought advanced tickets could start for home with comfort after the wait but those hoping to buy tickets at the counters suffered much due to the lack of buses.

Himalaya Express Counter Manager Belayet Hossain said one of their buses left Noakhali at 11am, but could not reach Dhaka at 10pm. The bus was stuck at Meghna Bridge for three hours, he said.   

An official of Eagle Paribahan, which operates bus services on Dhaka-Chittagong route, said their buses faced a similar situation.

Himachal Paribahan passenger Tawhid Hossain said the officials at the Sayedabad counter asked him to wait when he arrived to board a 8pm bus. "But they could not give me any ticket until 10pm. It's uncertain whether I can start for home today," he added.

The North-bound passengers are enjoying more comfort this season than last time. The traffic congestions on the roads to the northern districts were 'not intolerable', said transport officials.

"The buses are running slow, but are not stuck in any serious jam," said 'Shahid', who works at Nabil Paribahan.