Heavy traffic, soaring fares mark continuing post-Eid influx to Dhaka from north

A surge of Eid returnees from northern districts overwhelms key routes to Dhaka

The post-Eid return to Dhaka from northern districts shows little sign of easing, with highways choked and passengers grappling with sharply inflated fares amid surging demand.

Police and Jamuna Bridge authorities said traffic pressure has remained intense on both ends of the bridge since Saturday morning, following similar congestion and gridlocks throughout Friday.

At the Kodda intersection on the western approach, the influx of Dhaka-bound travellers appeared to intensify, with long queues of vehicles stretching across the highway.

Officials said a total of 46,278 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge in the 24 hours until midnight on Saturday, generating more than Tk 34 million in toll revenue.

Nearly two-thirds of the vehicles were heading towards the capital.

With buses in short supply, many passengers resorted to travelling on pickup vans and trucks.

Passengers Belal Hossain and Jahangir Hossain alleged fares had more than doubled, with bus operators charging up to Tk 1,000 per seat and Tk 600 for standing passengers.

Pickup vans and trucks were reportedly charging Tk 500–600 per person.

Frustration mounted among travellers, many of whom said they were forced to pay extra both before and after Eid, despite official assurances of normal or discounted fares.

“I had to pay extra going home, and now again on the way back,” said Maryam Khatun, urging authorities to step in.

Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aminul Islam said police were deployed around noon to address the complaints and promised swift action.

Traffic moved slowly until 10am due to accidents and broken-down buses, but later returned to normal, officials said.