Two lanes of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway at Rampur in Feni will remain closed for four days after Eid-ul-Fitr to facilitate repair work on a flood-damaged bridge.

According to the Roads and Highways (RHD) Department, the Chattogram-bound lane will remain completely closed from March 22 to 25, while traffic will operate on a single lane from March 26 to 30.

The decision was made at a coordination meeting involving the district administration, police, highway police, transport sector representatives and RHD officials, considering the relatively lower traffic pressure during the post-Eid period.

A public notice issued by the Executive Engineer’s office in Feni advised commuters to use alternative routes during the repair work.

The suggested diversions include temporary one-way movement between the U-turn near the RAB camp and the next U-turn at Rampur Bridge, as well as routes via Fatehpur Starline Pump to Salauddin intersection, Truck Road, Zero Point to Lalpol connection road, BSCIC intersection (Gas Company) to Dewanganj intersection, and other internal roads.

However, locals expressed concern that most of these alternative routes pass through the town and are not suitable for heavy vehicles, which could increase traffic congestion.

Zafar Uddin, general secretary of the Feni district unit of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said the highway is a key route used by a large number of people before and after Eid.

“Passengers may face some inconvenience, but the damaged section requires permanent repair. We hope the work will be completed within the stipulated time,” he said.

Suniti Chakma, executive engineer of the RHD Feni office, said the bridge was damaged during the 2024 floods and has been in use with temporary repairs since then.

“The post-Eid period has relatively lower traffic pressure, making it suitable for permanent repairs,” she said, adding that traffic disruption is expected to be manageable despite temporary pressure.