Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan on Wednesday ordered the 12 officials of the ministry to continue their duty at the temporary office at Biswa Road in Brahmanbaria instead of staying at their Dhaka offices.

The adviser came up with the instruction while inspecting the Sarail Bishwa Road intersection in the district.

Issuing a warning, he also warned that the responsible officers will be suspended if found to be negligent in this matter or absent from the office in the designated workplace.

"The ongoing congestion on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway is largely due to negligence by the traffic division," said the advisor.

He also said that he will speak with the Home advisor to resolve the issue.

Plans are underway to construct a flyover at the Biswa Road area and the officials concerned have been instructed to prepare designs and take necessary steps, he said.

Replying to a question about excessive pressure on the railways, the advisor assured that the issue would be resolved as quickly as possible.

Earlier, in the day, Adviser Fouzul Kabir experienced severe traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway while on his way to inspect the road’s poor condition and ongoing gridlock situation.

He reached Bhairab Railway Station around 9:30 am by Chattogram-bound Mahanagar Express train. From there, he inspected the Ashuganj Railway Station and left for Sarail Bishwa Road at 10:20 am.

But his convoy was caught in a traffic jam for nearly two hours in Sonarampur area of Ashuganj.

He later got out of his vehicle and walked a short distance before continuing his journey on a motorbike from Bahadurpur and reached Biswaroad intersection around 1 pm.

Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria Mohammad Didarul Alam,Superintendent of Police Ehteshamul Haque and officials from Roads and Highways (RHD) were present during the visit.

Brahmanbaria youth dies following alleged mob beating, police torture

Following multiple media reports highlighting long-standing traffic issues on this section of the highway RHD began repair work at the Sarail Biswaroad Golchattar area on Saturday afternoon.

Traffic congestion worsened immediately after repair work began on Saturday, continuing for four consecutive days across a 34-km stretch from Ashuganj roundabout to Madhabpur in Habiganj.

UNO Mosharraf Hossain said a long tailback has been created on the highway since Saturday afternoon and that army, police, and other law enforcement personnel are working to bring the situation under control.