As the countdown to Eid ul-Fitr begins, Dhaka’s highways are bracing for an influx of homeward-bound travellers.
Already, the roads from Dhaka to Mymensingh, Tangail, and Sylhet are seeing growing crowds, particularly on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways.
However, despite these challenges, Gazipur Metropolitan Police are confident that traffic congestion will be manageable this Eid, aided by recent infrastructure improvements, including new flyovers.
For decades, the roads connecting the northern and north-western districts of Bangladesh with the capital have borne the brunt of heavy traffic, especially during Eid, when the number of vehicles increases exponentially.
The ongoing construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has further complicated matters, creating congestion hotspots at various points along the routes.
Despite these persistent issues, the situation looks more promising this year. With all flyovers under the BRT project now operational, particularly on the Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Tangail, and Dhaka-Sylhet highways, experts predict a smoother flow of traffic.
According to Gajipur Metropolitan Police’s Sergeant, Mohammad Nazmul, the heavy influx of passengers typically begins from the 25th day of Ramadan, when thousands of factory workers from Gazipur start their journey home.
This year, however, the added capacity from the newly completed flyovers is expected to keep delays to a minimum.
Managing Traffic Flow and Minimising Delays Gazipur’s strategic location makes it a key transit point for thousands of travellers. The city is home to nearly 6,000 factories, which employ a vast number of workers who rely on these roads to travel.
As the holiday season approaches, traffic volumes are expected to peak, but authorities are prepared for the challenge.
Sergeant Nazmul noted that although some areas, such as College Gate, Gazipur, and Board Bazaar, may experience slowdowns, the rest of the highways should remain relatively free of significant traffic jams.
Local transport operator Karim Khan, who drives for Ena Paribahan, also believes the situation will be manageable.
"While the roads are busy, particularly under the flyovers, there is no significant congestion to worry about," he said.
"Most vehicles are using the BRT flyovers, and with all flyovers now open, there should be no major traffic bottlenecks."
Police and Volunteers on Duty In a bid to facilitate smoother travel, Gazipur’s traffic police, along with volunteers, are working around the clock.
Additional traffic police officers have been deployed across three shifts, ensuring that the traffic flow remains steady and that any potential issues are addressed quickly.
As Ashok Kumar Pal, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for Gazipur Metropolitan, explained, the local police have taken "all necessary steps to ensure a hassle-free Eid journey."
Special measures are in place to ensure that motorbikes and battery-operated rickshaws, often a source of congestion, stay off the highways.
The police are also advising heavy vehicles to utilise the flyovers, which should help reduce congestion and improve the speed of travel.
A significant part of the road, from Tongi to Chandna Chaurasta on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, now has all flyovers open, which authorities hope will alleviate the usual Eid traffic woes.
Expectations for Smooth Eid Travel While the growing number of travellers inevitably puts a strain on the roads, the new infrastructure improvements and the proactive approach by local authorities offer hope that this Eid journey will be far less stressful than in previous years.
The added capacity on the highways and the well-planned traffic management should ensure a smoother flow, making the Eid trip a more pleasant experience for all.
