As Eid-ul-Fitr draws near, Sylhet is witnessing a surge of homebound travellers, with crowded streets and bus terminals reflecting the festive rush.
However, alongside the excitement of returning home, concerns are mounting over possible travel woes on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway.
The rush began gaining momentum from Tuesday as government employees started a seven-day holiday following the last working day on Monday.
Since then, transport hubs across the city have been packed with passengers heading to different parts of the country.
Eid is expected to be observed on March 21, subject to the sighting of the moon.
To ease travel pressure, authorities earlier declared a five-day holiday from March 19 to 23 and later added March 18.
Despite these arrangements, travellers and transport operators fear that the Sylhet-Dhaka highway may once again turn into a major bottleneck.
The route, a key corridor for passengers from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, has long been plagued by narrow sections, damaged roads and ongoing construction work particularly in Brahmanbaria and parts of Narayanganj.
Officials warn that a journey that usually takes five to six hours could stretch to 12 to 15 hours during the peak Eid rush.
The most critical section remains the 12-kilometre stretch between Ashuganj and Bishwaroad where construction of a six-lane highway has been progressing slowly.
Traffic congestion at the Ashuganj roundabout and Bishwaroad intersection often persists for hours, causing severe delays.
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Other congestion-prone areas include Katihata, Sultanpur and Tontor Bazar in Brahmanbaria, where damaged road conditions force vehicles to move slowly.
With an increase in vehicle movement during Eid, the situation is expected to worsen significantly, said travellers and highway police.
Unauthorised CNG auto-rickshaw stands at Bishwaroad, Kuttapara, Ashuganj, Sohagpur and Sonarampur along with roadside markets and illegal structures are also likely to disrupt traffic flow.
According to police, 43 congestion-prone points have been identified along the Sylhet-Dhaka highway.
Authorities have deployed additional highway police personnel and taken measures to keep at least two lanes operational in construction zones, while also attempting to control slow-moving vehicles.
Despite these efforts, many travellers remain concerned, recalling previous Eid journeys marked by long hours of delays, particularly on the Brahmanbaria stretch.
With the number of vehicles expected to rise sharply in the coming days, the combination of heavy traffic and ongoing infrastructure work may once again turn the journey into a prolonged and exhausting experience for Eid travellers.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said efforts are underway to ensure everyone can travel home without any inconvenience.
“Managing this huge pressure is challenging. However, following the Prime Minister’s directives, the way we are working gives us hope that everyone will be able to travel home without any hassle,” he said while inaugurating Gona Bridge in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal.