Authorities brace for heavy Eid traffic

TDS Desk:

The ongoing construction work in Tangail’s Elenga upazila, coupled with the possibility of rainfall, may disrupt Eid‑ul‑Azha travel on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway, raising concerns among transport operators and authorities about congestion on this key northern route.

The Elenga flyover construction on the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge is among the main concerns. The project, implemented under the SASEC‑2 programme by Abdul Momen Limited, began in 2022 and was scheduled for completion in 2025. However, about 40 percent of the work remains incomplete.

Transport workers say the construction site already restricts vehicle movement on the busy highway.

“There is ongoing flyover construction in Elenga. This is why there is a fear of traffic congestion this Eid,” said Md Shahidul, a bus driver on the Dhaka-Rajshahi route.

According to Highway Police and transport operators, around 20,000 vehicles from 23 districts — including 16 northern districts — use the Dhaka-Tangail highway daily. Of them, about 15,000 vehicles cross the Jamuna Bridge. During Eid, traffic volume increases three to four times.

Authorities say congestion often builds on both ends of the Jamuna Bridge when large volumes of vehicles attempt to cross simultaneously, affecting millions of passengers.

Transport workers also point to additional pressure during Eid-ul-Azha, when livestock-carrying trucks move slowly and are more prone to breakdowns, further slowing traffic flow.

Despite multiple measures by authorities in previous years, traffic congestion on this route remains a recurring issue during Eid travel.

Tangail Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Dr Sinthia Azmeri Khan said the 40km stretch under their jurisdiction from Mirzapur to Elenga is in “good condition”, although routine maintenance work is ongoing. She said staff would remain standby to address any disruption during the Eid period.

Project Manager of Abdul Momen Limited Rabiul Islam said construction work would be suspended from May 24 for Eid travel. He added that if work continued in any form, it would be confined to inner sections that would not affect highway traffic.

Elenga Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Md Sharif said police would remain on duty round the clock to ensure smooth traffic movement despite ongoing construction and drainage-related challenges in the area.

Meanwhile, officials at the Bangladesh Bridge Authority said preparations are underway to manage increased pressure on the Jamuna Bridge. Additional wreckers are being arranged, and rescue teams stationed on the bridge will be deployed more frequently — at intervals of 300m instead of 500m– to respond quickly to vehicle breakdowns or accidents. Source: Daily Star