United News of Bangladesh

The rush of homebound holidaymakers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha intensified on the two major highways passing through Gazipur on Tuesday. From the morning, slow-moving traffic and sporadic tailbacks were reported on both the Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail highways as thousands of travellers left the capital to celebrate Eid with their families. Commuters faced difficulties at Chandra Trimor, Safipur, Board Bazar, Bhogra and Chandana Chowrasta areas, where heavy vehicular pressure significantly slowed traffic movement. A long queue of northbound vehicles stretching several kilometres was seen around Chandra Trimor. Vehicles also moved intermittently along the Safipur–Chandra flyover section and the Chandra–Nabinagar road due to congestion. The situation worsened as around 40 to 42 percent of industrial establishments in Gazipur began their Eid holidays on Monday, triggering a simultaneous exodus of workers from the industrial hub. Passenger crowds swelled at bus terminals and roadside stoppages throughout the district. Drivers and passengers said traffic congestion was further aggravated by passengers boarding and disembarking on highways and by irregular parking of vehicles at busy points. Many travellers also alleged that transport operators were charging fares higher than the approved rates on almost all routes ahead of the festival. “We had to wait for a long time to get a bus, and the fare was much higher than usual,” said a passenger at Chandana Chowrasta. To ease congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow, law enforcement agencies have stepped up monitoring on the highways. SM Ashraful Islam, deputy commissioner (Traffic) of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said additional police personnel have been deployed at important points along the highways. “We are closely monitoring the traffic situation. Wreckers have also been kept ready to quickly remove stalled vehicles from the roads to prevent prolonged congestion,” he said.