United News of Bangladesh

Two people were killed and twelve others injured when a bus crashed into a roadside mosque on Mymensingh-Sherpur regional road in Tarokanda upazila of Mymensingh district, police said on Friday. The deceased were identified as Pervez Mia, 35 and his son Hasan Mia, 8 of Sanarpar village in Narayanganj district. The accident occurred at around 8:30 am at Paschim Taldighi Fakir Bari when the Sherpur-bound bus hit the wall of the mosque beside the road as its driver lost control over steering, leaving two killed on the spot and 12 others injured, said officer-in-charge of Tarakanda Police Station, Tipu Sultan. The injured were taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

A four-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the train accident on Kalurghat Rail Bridge on Friday that left three people dead, said Railway officials. Four railway staff members have been temporarily suspended in connection with the incident, said Rezaul Karim Siddique, public relations officer of the Ministry of Railways. The suspended staff are Sohel Rana, guard, loco master Golam Rasul, assistant loco master Amin Ullah and temporary gatekeeper Mahbub. Train rams auto-rickshaw on Kalurghat Bridge: 3 dead, 5 injured Headed by the Divisional Transportation Officer of Bangladesh Railway, Chattogram, the other members of the committee include the Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Loco), the Divisional Engineer-1, and the Divisional Medical Officer of Pahartali, Chattogram. The committee has been asked to submit the report within three days. At least three people were killed and five others injured when a Dhaka-bound train crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the Kalurghat Bridge in Chattogram on Thursday night. According to locals, the ‘Parjatak Express’ train from Cox’s Bazar rammed into the auto-rickshaw at around 10:30pm on Thrusday when it just entered the bridge. The train subsequently collided with several other vehicles, including motorcycles.  

A record toll collection of Tk 5.43 crore was made on Padma Bridge in a single day on Thursday, with a total of 52,487 vehicles crossing the bridge in 24 hours—marking the highest number of vehicles in a day since the bridge opened. Earlier, the highest daily traffic on the bridge was recorded on its inauguration day, June 26, 2022, when 51,316 vehicles crossed, officials said. The previous highest toll collection was Tk 4.89 crore on April 9, 2024. This new record was set on the first day of the 10-day long Eid-ul-Azha holiday. Monsoon Nightmare: Erosion threatens Padma Bridge Project site Besides, the authorities concerned collected tolls amounting to over Tk 4.09 crore from 37,465 vehicles. The Padma Bridge will mark its third anniversary on June 25. So far, a total of over Tk 2,452.82 crore in tolls has been collected, with 1,89,64,218 vehicles having crossed the bridge since its inauguration. Meanwhile, 16,502 vehicles entered the bridge from the Jajira side, contributing Tk 2.26 crore in tolls on Thursday. The remaining 35,985 vehicles entered via the Mawa end, from which Tk 3.16 crore in tolls were collected. Joint Secretary and Director (Administration) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Altaf Hossain Sheikh, who is currently overseeing operations of Padma Bridge, said the bridge is playing a vital role in ensuring smooth travel for holidaymakers heading home for Eid.  

Authorities have lifted the long-standing travel ban on tourists in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban, nearly a year after it was imposed due to security concerns. The ban was withdrawn at 10:30pm on Thursday through a notice signed by the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate. Following this decision, tourists are now permitted to visit popular destinations such as Munlai Para and Boga Lake in Ruma, and Tindu and Tammatungi in Thanchi. The lifting of the ban on tourism during the long 10-day Eid-ul-Azha vacation raises hope among local businesses. Authorities said that if the situation continues to improve, all tourist sites in the two upazilas will gradually be reopened. Tourism businessmen expect a significant influx of visitors to Bandarban during the upcoming holiday period, boosting the local economy. Earlier in the day, two separate meetings were held with local dignitaries and public representatives to discuss the reopening of the tourist sites. One was chaired by Lt. Col. Md Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 38 BGB Battalion in Thanchi’s Bolipara area. The other was held at the 36 BIR Ruma Army Zone headquarters, chaired by Major Mehedi Sarkar, deputy commander of the zone. The ban on tourism in Ruma, Thanchi, and Roangchhari upazilas was initially imposed on October 17, 2022, amid joint security operations against insurgents and the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). Although travel restrictions in Roangchhari were lifted earlier Ruma and Thanchi had remained off-limits to visitors.

Thousands of holidaymakers, particularly readymade garment workers, faced severe traffic congestion, inflated fares and overcrowded transport options on Thursday as they departed from Savar and nearby industrial areas ahead of Eid. Heavy traffic gridlock was reported from morning to noon on the Dhaka-Aricha and Nabinagar-Chandra highways due to an overwhelming surge in vehicle and passenger numbers. The situation worsened further due to continuous rainfall since the morning, compounding the hardship of travellers. Taking advantage of the Eid rush, transport workers were allegedly charging extra fares, forcing passengers to pay well above the regular rates. Many commuters were seen booking seats by offering higher payments just to secure a spot. From early morning, long queues formed at transport counters across Savar and surrounding areas. Mass exodus from Dhaka begins as 10-day Eid holiday kicks off Key points such as Hemayetpur, Amin Bazar, Genda, Ulail, Nabinagar, Baipail, Sripur and Jirani Bazar witnessed long tailbacks, with travellers complaining of a shortage of seats and steep ticket prices. Parvin Akhter Paru, a garment worker waiting to travel to Rangpur, said, “I've been standing for hours. Even when a seat is available, they ask for nearly double the fare. A Tk 650 ticket is being sold for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400.” Sentu Mia, another passenger heading to Jashore, said, “They’re asking Tk 800 for a Tk 400 trip. We’re poor people, what are we supposed to do?”  

Export and import through Tamabil land port in Sylhet's Gowainghat will remain suspended for 11 days from today (Thursday) on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the largest religious festival of the Muslims. Md. Omar Faruk, election commissioner of Tamabil Land Port Limestone Importers Group, said that the organisation has decided to close the port for import and export from June 5 to June 15. "Activities will resume on June 16," he added. Md. Samim Mia, in charge of immigration at Tamabil, assured that immigration services will operate normally throughout Eid, including on Eid day. Passengers holding passports from both countries will be able to travel as usual.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remain vigilant to prevent any further push-ins across the border in Khagrachari, said 23 BGB's Jaminipara Zone Commander Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Ibne Hossain on Thursday. He also mentioned that a flag meeting was held, along with written and verbal protests against illegal push-ins by the BSF at the border. These remarks were made during a press conference at the zone headquarters. Besides, precautionary measures have been taken to curb cattle and leather smuggling centering Eid-ul-Azha. Strict surveillance is ongoing to maintain border security, added the BGB official. Meanwhile, special security arrangements have been enhanced at the Ramgarh-Fatikchhari border of 43 BGB to prevent illegal infiltration and smuggling. 43 BGB Commander Lt. Col. Md. Ahsan ul Islam said this after inspecting various patrol posts along the border on Thursday morning. Since May 7, the BSF has illegally pushed almost a thousand individuals into Bangladesh through various points of the border. Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh will send a fresh ‘substantive’ letter to India reminding them of set mechanisms to deal with the push-ins, noting that push-in is still happening. He said Bangladesh is in touch with India on the issues of push-ins with regular exchanges.

A 105-kilometre area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway remained free of traffic congestion on Thursday, bringing relief to homebound travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Despite a sharp rise in the number of vehicles no major traffic disruptions were reported from Daudkandi in Cumilla to Mohammad Ali area in Feni district, according to passengers and drivers. Traffic volume began to increase on Wednesday and continued till Thursday, with thousands of vehicles seen moving smoothly along the highway. Paturia ferry terminal sees increased traffic amid Eid rush Vehicles were seen moving without any hindrance through key points in Cumilla including Daudkandi, Elliotganj, Madhaiya, Chandina, Nimsar, Cantonment, Paduar Bazar, Miabazar and Chauddagram. To ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement members of the highway police and the army are working jointly, said witnesses. The district administration and Rover Scouts are also assisting in maintaining discipline on the highway, highway police sources said. Talking to UNB, passengers expressed satisfaction saying the congestion-free journey has added to their joy of returning home for Eid. Eid home rush: 12-km tailback on Dhaka-M’sing highway  

The number of homebound passengers has increased  at the Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj as people from 21 districts in the southwestern region are heading home to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha. Witnesses said pressure of passengers using ferries and launches has increased sharply since Thursday morning.  A total of 17 ferries and 20 launches are currently operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia waterway to ensure a safe and uninterrupted Eid journey. Passengers said they did not have to wait long to board ferries or launches as vessels were arriving and departing regularly.  Eid home rush: 12-km tailback on Dhaka-M’sing highway Many expressed satisfaction over the overall travel experience. To maintain security and prevent any untoward incidents members of the police, river police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed in sufficient numbers around the terminal area. Superintendent of Police Yasmin Akhter visited the terminal and expressed satisfaction over the overall situation, saying security measures have been strengthened to ensure a smooth Eid journey.  

A 12-km long tailback has been created on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway stretching from Tongi to Chandana Chowrasta in Gazipur district on Thursday. Vehicles were seen moving slowly from Tongi to Chandana Chourasta in the morning due to heavy pressure of vehicles on the highway as homebound people are heading to their villages to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones. Dhaka sees heavier morning traffic as offices open today A light traffic congestion has been reported since morning in several areas including Board Bazar, Bhogra Bypass, Chandna Chourasta, Tongi Station Road and Gazipura areas of the district. Besides, vehicles are moving at a sluggish pace for several kilometres around the Chandra Trimor area in Kaliakoir upazila on Dhaka-Tangail highway. Additional law enforcement personnel have been deployed at key points along the highway to ensure smoother traffic flow.