In anticipation of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, Bangladesh Police on Thursday (April 04, 2024) issued a series of safety guidelines for citizens planning to travel back to their hometowns.  This initiative aims to ensure a safe and smooth journey for thousands of holidaymakers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The police have strongly discouraged travelers from risking their lives by riding on the roofs of buses, trucks, pickups, and other goods vehicles.  Newly elected Cumilla and Mymensingh city mayors take oath Additionally, pedestrians have been advised to utilise foot overbridges and zebra crossings wherever available and to be cautious of vehicle speeds in areas lacking these facilities. Private car users were specifically warned against joyriding and reckless driving. The police have also cautioned all travelers against accepting food from strangers, a precautionary measure to avoid potential health risks. Bus owners have been urged to employ only skilled and professional drivers and to avoid overloading buses beyond their capacity. Similarly, vehicle fitness is emphasised, with a strict recommendation against operating any vehicle deemed unfit for travel. Regarding waterway travel, the police advised against journeying by launch in inclement weather conditions and implored vessel owners to refrain from exceeding passenger limits on launches, steamers, and speedboats. Vessel operators were reminded to navigate the vessels themselves or ensure that they are piloted by certified drivers. Owners are also encouraged to monitor weather conditions via mobile phones and radio and to verify the functionality of fire pumps and fire extinguishing equipment onboard. For those traveling by train, police reiterated the dangers of roof, buffer, and engine travel and cautioned against the act of throwing stones at trains, which poses a significant safety hazard. Work for people, don’t lose public trust: PM Hasina to public reps In the event of an emergency, people were asked to call 999 or police headquarters control room (01320001299), highway police headquarters (01320182598), railway police headquarters (01320177598), river police headquarters (01320169598), Rapid Action Battalion (01777720199), district superintendent of police and officer-in-charge of police, if needed. By adhering to these guidelines, the Bangladesh Police hope to minimise accidents and ensure that Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in a joyous and safe manner across the country.

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) forecasts that around 15 million individuals are poised to exit the greater Dhaka area, including Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city corporation areas, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. An estimated 60% of these holidaymakers, roughly nine million people, will opt for road travel, while the rest will utilise waterways and railways. The projection, released in a press statement by NCPSRR on Monday, sheds light on the massive seasonal migration and its implications on transportation and safety. Despite admitting potential inaccuracies due to the lack of a comprehensive database, NCPSRR's general secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, stated that the report was compiled from a variety of sources, including research data, civic groups, and transport sector organizations. Read more: Dhaka Metro Rail operations to continue past 9 pm from today The committee has voiced concerns over the possibility of increased public suffering and accidents on the roads, similar to previous years. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the government's significant efforts to facilitate smoother Eid travel for millions. Drawing from the latest census, the report details the population distribution within the Dhaka division, noting that about 75% of the country's garment factories are in Gazipur. Workers, who predominantly reside in the Gazipur region, contribute to the large-scale exodus during Eid. Additionally, significant populations in Narayanganj and adjacent districts add to the surge of travelers seeking to return to their native places for the Eid holiday. Read more: Seasoned journalists, experts stress vital role of media in creating awareness to make roads safe again The report highlights several challenges faced by travelers, including the inadequate capacity of the road transport sector to manage the massive flow of people within a week leading up to Eid. Issues such as the poor condition of long-distance roads, over 500 risky turning points nationwide, and the manual collection of tolls exacerbating traffic congestion are identified as major obstacles to smooth travel. Despite these hurdles, the NCPSRR remains optimistic that the implementation of government measures could alleviate some of the public's difficulties on the roads during this peak travel period. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these initiatives are carried out effectively to enhance the Eid travel experience for millions. Read more: Wheels of hazard: Motorcycle safety crisis unfolding on Bangladesh’s roads

FBCCI wants road construction work to be put on hold for 14 days to facilitate the Eid journeys of the homebound people.  FBCCI senior vice-president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu made the request on Sunday for putting the ongoing construction and repair of roads on hold for a total of 14 days before and after Eid to alleviate the suffering of home goers. He made the call at the first meeting of the FBCCI Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (Railways, Roads and Highways) held at FBCCI. Also read: FBCCI President urges Canadian companies to invest in Bangladesh’s waste management The senior vice-president said that the speed of vehicles slows down due to repair and construction work on roads and highways resulting in huge traffic jams.  The FBCCI Senior Vice President urged the government to put a hold on the construction work from April 27 to May 10 to make the Eid journeys smoother.  He also called for the deployment of highway police at heavy traffic zones. “The higher authority of the Bangladesh Police should take strict action to stop extortion on the roads,” he said. The Senior Vice President said that FBCCI will send a letter to the Minister of Home Affairs and IGP requesting to stop extortion. The senior vice-president also called for increasing the number of ferries and ferry trips to shorten the long queues of the buses and trucks at Mawa and Aricha Ferry Ghat. Earlier, raising the issue of the financial loss due to traffic jam FBCCI vice-president and director-in-charge of the committee Md. Aminul Haque Shamim informed that the heavy jam at Tongi costs financial loss worth Tk 10 crore daily. Despite being the most affected sector, the public transport sector, which remained shut down for 18 months, received no government assistance, he mentioned.  In addition, the owners have to pay regular bank installment to avoid being defaulted even if they have no income.  In this situation, he urged the government not to impose any further tax or duty on tires, tubes and other parts in the next  budget. President of the Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association and Chairman of the committee Ramesh Chandra Ghosh said that law enforcement members illegally collect money every night at Joykali Mandir and Ittefaq intersection in the capital.  He sought help from police authority to end this situation. Identifying the public transport sector as the most affected sector during the Corona period, Ramesh Chandra Ghosh called for policy protection for the next three years. Also read: Self-reliance in seed production essential for food security: FBCCI In their speeches, other members of the committee said that the longevity of vehicles is being declined due to the potholes and broken roads.  To reduce traffic congestion and bring discipline to the roads, integrated transport management system and decentralization of services and proper implementation of BRTA were stressed at the meeting.  They demanded to stop bribery and extortion in the name of fitness certificates. FBCCI director Bijoy Kumar Kejriwal, Former Director Abdul Haque, Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, Standing Committee Co-chairmen Eng. Md. Jahangir Alam, M. Humayun Kabir, Faruk Talukder Sohel, Engr. Golam Kabir, G. Rahman Shohid, Bazlur Rahman Ratan and others members of the committee were present in the meeting.