Stop-start traffic on Gazipur highways disrupts Eid rush

Traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways in Gazipur is markedly busier than usual as holidaymakers stream out of the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

The pressure of outbound traffic has resulted in hold-ups along several points of the highways. Police and other law-enforcing agencies are working to keep things under control and prevent any major gridlock.

On Thursday, long tailbacks were reported from Tongi to Salna on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, particularly around a 3-km stretch of the Vogra Bypass.

On the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, heavy congestion was seen along a 12-km stretch near Chandra in Kaliakoir Upazila, with vehicles moving in a stop-and-go manner.

Delays were also caused by frequent stops at bus stations, where parking issues and passengers getting on and off slowed traffic further.

Nevertheless, most parts of the highways remained largely clear, allowing for relatively smooth journeys.

Speaking to bdnews24.com at Gazipur's Chandra around 9am, Mohammad Amir Hossain, an employee of a private company travelling from Dhaka's Banani to Rangpur, said: “It was smooth from Dhaka to Konabari. But it took me two and a half hours to get from Konabari to Chandra. I didn’t see any police presence during that stretch.”

Kobir Hossain, a factory worker, said: “It’s taking one to two hours just to go from Safipur to Chandra. Vehicles barely seem to be moving. The traffic is very slow and we're suffering from long waits.”

Officials expect traffic to worsen later in the day, as the remaining 50 percent of garment factories in Gazipur are scheduled to close for Eid. The holiday rush is expected to peak by the evening.

SECURITY MEASURES

To manage the Eid rush, police have rolled out a three-tier security plan. Around 4,000 officers have been deployed along the highways, alongside Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel.

Highway Police noted that Eid holidays at garment factories are being staggered, with 10 percent closing on Tuesday, 40 percent on Wednesday, and 50 percent on Thursday.

While many factories have arranged transportation for their workers, those without such options are crowding bus terminals and boarding open trucks, bus rooftops, pickup vans, and other vehicles.

Passengers have also reported being charged excessively high fares by transport operators, a common grievance during the Eid rush.

Nazjoar Highway Police Station chief Sawgatul Alam said: “We’ve implemented a comprehensive three-layer security system. Alongside police, the Army and BGB are actively ensuring safe travel on the highways.”