United News of Bangladesh

A total of 281 people were killed and 837 others injured in 292 road accidents across Bangladesh during the 13-day Eid-ul-Azha travel period from May 21 to June 2, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF). The report said 22 people died every day on average during the period. Among the deceased, 34 were women and 48 children. It added that motorcyclists accounted for the highest share of fatalities, with 124 deaths in 141 motorcycle crashes, representing 44.12 percent of total deaths. Motorcycle accidents made up 48.28 percent of all crashes. Pedestrians accounted for 37 deaths (13.16 percent), while drivers and their assistants made up 33 deaths (11.74 percent). During the period, 13 accidents on waterways left eight people dead and 15 injured, while 24 sacrificial cattle reportedly died. In addition, 22 rail accidents resulted in 17 deaths and nine injuries. Vehicle-wise fatalities According to the report, other fatalities included 21 bus passengers (7.47 percent), 32 passengers of trucks, covered vans, pickups and tractors (11.38 percent), 11 passengers of private cars and ambulances (3.91 percent), 48 passengers of three-wheelers as auto-rickshaws and easy-bikes (17.08 percent), and eight passengers of locally made vehicles (2.84 percent). Road types Of the total accidents, 97 (33.21 percent) occurred on national highways, 112 (38.35 percent) on regional roads, 42 (14.38 percent) on rural roads, 37 (12.67 percent) in urban areas and 4 (1.36 percent) in other locations. Types of accidents The report said 127 accidents (43.49 percent) were caused by loss of control, 73 (25 percent) were head-on collisions, 42 (14.38 percent) were rear-end collisions, 38 (13 percent) involved hitting pedestrians, and 12 (4.10 percent) were due to other reasons. Division-wise data Dhaka division recorded the highest share with 95 accidents and 101 deaths, followed by Rajshahi (18.50 percent of deaths), Chattogram (12.09 percent), Khulna (10.32 percent), Rangpur (7.82 percent), Barishal (7.11 percent), Mymensingh (5.69 percent) and Sylhet (2.49 percent). Sylhet saw the lowest number of accidents, with nine that resulted in seven deaths. On a district basis, Faridpur recorded the highest toll with 19 accidents killing 28 people. Comparison with last year The report noted that during Eid-ul-Azha last year, 312 people were killed in 12 days, averaging 26 deaths per day. This year, the daily average fell to 21.61 deaths. However, it said the reduction does not reflect a structural improvement in transport safety. Observations The RSF said Bangladesh lacks a safe and adequate public transport system capable of handling the massive Eid rush, forcing many travellers to use risky transport options. It also highlighted congestion, overcharging, and irregular ticketing during the travel period. The report noted that 15 workers were killed in a truck accident in Tangail’s Kalihati during Eid travel. The foundation further identified speeding, reckless motorcycle use among youths, poor vehicle conditions, weak traffic management, and unfit drivers as major causes of accidents. The report recommended a long-term integrated transport plan, expansion of rail services, improved water transport, and better coordination of public transport fleets to reduce road dependency during Eid travel periods.

Bangladesh Railway on Monday launched special coaches for women passengers on selected intercity trains ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to ensure safer and more comfortable travel during the holiday rush. Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md Afzal Hossain inaugurated the service at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka through seeing off women passengers travelling on the special coach attached to the Jayantika Express. Additional Director General (Operations) of Bangladesh Railway Md Nazmul Hasan, General Manager (East) Md Shuboktagin and Dhaka Divisional Railway Manager ABM Kamruzzaman, among others, were present. The officials exchanged greetings with passengers and conveyed Eid wishes to them. Women passengers expressed satisfaction over the arrangement and thanked the government for introducing the special initiative. Under the special arrangement introduced following government directives, dedicated coaches for women passengers have been added to Jayantika Express operating on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka route and the non-stop Sonar Bangla Express running on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Dhaka route. The service will remain operational for three days until May 27.  

Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever toll collection and vehicle movement on the Padma and Jamuna bridges during this year’s Eid travel rush, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry said on Friday. According to the ministry, a record number of vehicles crossed the bridges, resulting in the highest-ever toll collection, thanks to coordinated management and well-planned measures to ensure smooth and safe journeys for homebound passengers during Eid-ul-Fitr. Between March 17 and 19, a total of 119,682 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge in three days, significantly higher than 100,802 recorded during the same period in 2025. The bridge generated Tk 13.21 crore in tolls during these three days, compared to Tk 12.00 crore collected in 2025. Besides, the Jamuna Bridge recorded its highest-ever single-day traffic on March 18, with 51,384 vehicles crossing the bridge, surpassing the previous record of 48,368 in 2025. On the same day, toll collection on the Jamuna Bridge reached a record Tk 3.51 crore, exceeding Tk 3.46 crore collected during the previous year. Despite higher traffic pressure compared to 2025, the ministry claimed that there were no major accidents or severe congestion during the Eid period. The ministry attributed the success to several effective measures, including training and deployment of skilled toll collectors, operation of all toll lanes round-the-clock, expansion of motorcycle lanes, introduction of non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC), reopening of the Mawa bus bay, and enhanced traffic monitoring through surveillance cameras. Besides, steps such as opening the Elenga bus bay, deploying security guards at every 500 metres on the bridges, ensuring emergency medical support, and carrying out quick rescue operations using three wreckers including a heavy-duty rescue vehicle brought from the Karnaphuli tunnel helped maintain smooth traffic flow. Emergency toll lanes and distribution of iftar items to passengers were also part of the comprehensive management plan, the ministry added. END/UNB/MM/FH

Homebound passengers using the Chandpur launch terminal are facing severe suffering ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as construction of the much-anticipated modern terminal remains incomplete even after nearly four years. The project initiated at a cost of several hundred crores of taka has yet to be finished, leaving passengers to navigate an underdeveloped and poorly managed terminal during one of the busiest travel seasons. Visiting the terminal area from Tuesday morning to late afternoon a fragile and chaotic situation was found. Makeshift wooden stairs attached to the pontoon remain unusually steep, forcing passengers to struggle while boarding and disembarking. Passengers are also compelled to wait in overcrowded conditions on the limited space of the pontoon, with no proper waiting rooms, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities or breastfeeding corners available. Transport mismanagement has further compounded the suffering. As passengers disembark, they are often surrounded by CNG-run auto-rickshaw and three-wheeler drivers who aggressively compete to take luggage, creating disorder and discomfort. “It’s a complete mess here,” Abdul Malek, a passenger expressed frustration over the situation. Although authorities have repeatedly promised action, little improvement is visible on the ground, he said. Sources said construction work has stalled due to inactivity by the contractor, worsening the plight of travellers. Although the engineering wing of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) carried out some repair work ahead of Eid, it has done little to ease the pressure of thousands of passengers. Around 30 launches operate daily on the Chandpur-Dhaka-Narayanganj route, carrying thousands of passengers. The terminal is also used by people from neighbouring areas including Lakshmipur’s Raipur and Ramganj, as well as passengers from Haimchar upazila. About 20,000 passengers use the terminal every day, according to launch owners’ representatives Ali Azgar and Ruhul Amin. Passengers voiced their grievances while waiting for launches. “We are going to Dhaka, but there is no place to sit. We are forced to wait under the open sky in this heat,” said Sabina, one of the passengers, adding that the lack of sanitation facilities is making the situation worse, especially for those travelling with children. Another passenger, Masudur Rahman, said, “People travel during Eid to share joy with their families, but here porters and transport drivers create chaos by pulling at luggage. These issues need to be controlled.” Jahangir Hossain, who arrived from Dhaka, said although launch travel is considered relatively safe, mismanagement at the terminal exposes passengers to harassment. “Fares are being overcharged. A trip that should cost Tk 100 is being charged Tk 200 to 250. CNG and auto drivers are the worst offenders,” he alleged. Chandpur River Police Station Officer-in-Charge ASM Iqbal Hossain said law enforcement personnel are working round the clock to ensure passenger safety during the Eid rush. Deputy Director of Chandpur river port Md Kamruzzaman said passengers are currently using a temporary terminal due to ongoing construction work. “We are trying to ensure safe travel for passengers,” he added. Deputy Commissioner Md Nazmul Islam Sarker said an executive magistrate has been deployed at the terminal to oversee the situation. “We hope passenger services will improve through proper supervision and management,” he said.

There were no reports of prolonged traffic congestion on two major highways in Gazipur on Wednesday, offering relief to Eid travellers. From early morning, a heavy flow of homebound vehicles was seen on the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways, as people headed towards northern districts to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families. Despite the increased pressure, traffic movement remained largely normal. However, vehicles moved slowly at key points, including Chandana Chowrasta and other major bus stands, due to a large number of waiting passengers. At Chandara Tri-Mor, long lines of vehicles stretching several kilometres were observed in the morning. Police said the slow movement in the area was mainly caused by passenger boarding on public transport rather than any major traffic disruption. Eid homebound rush sparks fears of gridlock on Sylhet-Dhaka highway Unlike previous years, no significant traffic congestion was reported on the stretch from Nabinagar to Chandara, bringing some relief to commuters. Gazipur Metropolitan Police and district police have deployed additional personnel along the highways. Around 1,000 members of the metropolitan police and 859 members of district police are working to maintain discipline, alongside highway police, industrial police and volunteers, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Israil Howlader.  He said authorities are working in coordination with other agencies to ensure safe and comfortable travel. “We have taken strict measures to prevent illegal parking, random passenger boarding and the movement of unauthorised vehicles and factory holidays—especially in the garment sector—have been staggered to ease pressure on highways,”he said. However, many passengers alleged that transport operators are charging higher-than-usual fares for different destinations.

Millions of people have started leaving the capital ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, leading to overwhelming crowds at major transport hubs, including Sadarghat Launch Terminal and Kamalapur Railway Station, as well as bus terminals across the city. Though there is no specific surveys about how many city dwellers will leave the capital. However, acting commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Sarwar told mass media that more than 10 million people are expected to travel to different districts from Dhaka to celebrate the Eid day with their near and dear. Eid journey to be hassle free: Road Transport Minister An estimated 1.5 to 2 million people are expected to leave Dhaka daily between March-16 and March 20. Besides, around 2 to 2.5 million people are expected to enter the capital from different districts to enjoy Eid vacation. The mass exodus began with the start of a seven-day holiday from Tuesday early morning. Government offices, courts, and many private institutions are closed, prompting city dwellers to travel to their village homes to celebrate Eid with their families. Monday (March 16) was the last working day before the holiday. It was seen that crowds began swelling at Sadarghat from Monday, while Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed passengers pressure from Tuesday morning. Though trains are running on schedule, all those are fully packed. However, on time schedule of trains bringing some relief to passengers. To ensure a smooth journey, railway authorities have adopted strict measures. Multiple steps ticket verification is being carried out before allowing entry to platforms. Yakub, a ticket checker, said authorities are maintaining maximum vigilance and not allowing entry without valid tickets. However, families are allowed one additional standing ticket at a fixed fare if needed. Passenger pressure has also increased at nearby bus counters around Kamalapur, reflecting the overall intensity of Eid travel. On Tuesday, Ali Hossain Fakir, Inspector General of Police, along with DMP Acting Commissioner Mohammad Sarwar, visited the Gabtoli Bus Terminal. During the visit, the IGP spoke with passengers and monitored the situation.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said over the next two to three days, around 1.5 crore people will leave Dhaka to celebrate Eid and efforts are underway to ensure everyone can travel home without any inconvenience. “Within the next two to three days, nearly 1.5 crore people are expected to leave Dhaka to celebrate Eid. 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. The minister came up with the remarks while inaugurating Gona Bridge in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal. Highlighting infrastructure challenges, the Minister said the Dhaka–Barishal highway is still a two-lane road which is too narrow for smooth traffic movement. “The highway needs to be widened and the government realises this. I have visited the spot and there is a plan to start the work as soon as possible,” he added. State Minister for Road Transport Habibur Rashid and MP of Barishal-6 constituency Abul Hossain Khan, officials from the Roads and Highways Department and local administration were present.

Commerce Minister Khondakar Abdul Muktadir on Saturday said the recent rise in global fuel prices triggered by the Iran-Israel conflict will not affect Eid travel in Bangladesh and there is no possibility of an increase in the prices of essential commodities. The minister made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a programme in Sylhet where iftar and Eid gifts were distributed among working-class families. The minister said although fuel prices have increased in the global market due to the ongoing conflict, it will not impact the upcoming Eid journeys of people in the country. Sylhet to be brought under IP camera surveillance to curb crime: Commerce Minister However, he warned that if the war continues for a prolonged period, it could create some pressure on the global economy. “Bangladesh always stands for peace. We hope the war will end soon and peace will be restored in the world.” Responding to a question about the government’s preparations if the conflict drags on, Muktadir said the government has taken all necessary steps to deal with any potential situation. “This government has been elected by the direct vote of the people. To ensure public safety and keep people’s lives normal, the government has made all possible preparations. So there is no reason for the public to be worried.” Earlier, addressing the Eid gift distribution programme as the chief guest, the minister said the promises he made to voters before the election would be implemented gradually. “The problems of this city will also be resolved step by step. I seek everyone’s prayers and cooperation so that I can fulfil the responsibility you entrusted to me by electing me.” Among others, Sylhet metropolitan BNP Acting President Rezaul Hasan and General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury were present at the programme along with its organiser Shafiqul Rahman Sumon and leaders and activists of the party. Later, the minister attended iftar and prayer gatherings organised by the Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad, Sunamganj Samity in Sylhet, and the Sylhet Metropolitan Police.

Despite government assurances of hassle-free Eid travel, commuters fear suffering on the Cumilla stretch of the Dhaka–Chattogram highway due to varous reasons including encroachment and illegal parking. Passengers and transport operators said these problems along the roughly 105-kilometre highway section could trigger severe congestion as homebound travellers begin their Eid journeys. A recent visit to different points of the highway revealed that vehicles are being parked haphazardly on the two-lane highway in areas such as Gouripur in Daudkandi upazila. Similar scenes were observed in Eliotganj of Daudkandi, Madhaiya, Kutumbpur and Chandina Sadar in Chandina upazila, Nimsar in Burichang, Padua Bazar and Suagazi in Sadar Dakkhin, and Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar in Chauddagram upazila. DMP issues traffic guidelines for hassle-free Eid travel Encroachment of footpaths is particularly visible at Padua Bazar, Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar. Meanwhile, roadside markets are frequently set up directly on the highway in areas like Nimsar, Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar. Besides, road repair works are currently underway in Amtali and Nishchintapur areas of Cumilla Sadar upazila due to damaged road sections, forcing vehicles to move slowly through those stretches. Padua Bazar has emerged as a particularly sensitive point on the highway. The Cumilla–Noakhali regional road intersects the Dhaka–Chattogram highway at this location, with transport services to Lakshmipur and Chandpur also passing through the intersection. Locals said buses are often parked haphazardly beneath the foot overbridge on the Chattogram-bound lane at Padua Bazar, creating congestion near a nearby U-turn point. The situation is further complicated by roadside vendors occupying the footpaths and road edges. Passengers are also picked up by buses standing under the foot overbridge at the entrance to the Noakhali road, frequently causing traffic gridlock in the area. In addition, a bus counter has been set up near a mosque at the intersection, where buses often wait on the highway itself, disrupting the smooth movement of vehicles. Passengers Meghdat Hossain, Fakhrul Islam and Alauddin said traffic congestion frequently occurs due to footpath encroachment, irregular parking and roadside markets. If monitoring is not strengthened, people travelling home for Eid will suffer greatly, they warned. Abdul Halim Majumder, general secretary of the South District Committee of Cumilla Bachao Manch, stressed the need to free footpaths from encroachment and create designated parking spaces for buses. “Buses should not be allowed to stop at intersections. Instead, designated stopping points should be arranged slightly ahead or behind the crossings,” he said. Mohammad Shahinur Alam Khan, superintendent  of Highway Police in the Cumilla region, said the authorities are aware of the problems. “We recently conducted drives to stop footpath encroachment. Discussions have also been held with transport owners and other stakeholders,” he said. He expressed hope that with everyone’s cooperation, necessary measures will be taken to ensure safe and smooth travel for homebound passengers during Eid.

Speakers at a views-exchange meeting on Wednesday stressed the need for stronger coordination among transport owners, workers and law enforcement agencies to ensure safe, orderly and hassle-free travel for homebound people during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The meeting was held at Mohakhali Bus Terminal in the capital on Wednesday with transport owners and workers to discuss measures for ensuring smooth, safe and toll-free journeys for passengers during the Eid rush. Traders fined for selling diesel at higher prices in Manikganj Member of Parliament Advocate Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas attended the programme as the chief guest. Special guests included Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sarwar and President of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association MA Baten. The keynote speech was delivered by Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association and General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association Md Saiful Alam. The meeting was chaired by Executive President of the Mohakhali Bus Terminal Owners Association Abul Kalam Azad and was attended by transport owners, workers’ representatives and officials from relevant organisations. Speaking at the event, Advocate Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MO,  said a large number of people travel from the capital to different districts during Eid. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure passenger safety and prevent overcharging of fares and extortion. DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar said police have taken necessary security measures to ensure smooth Eid travel. He said surveillance will be intensified at bus terminals and on important roads, and immediate action will be taken if any allegations of extortion or passenger harassment are received. Speakers at the meeting emphasised strengthening coordination among transport owners, workers and law enforcement agencies to make Eid travel safe, organised and free from harassment.