The government has adopted all out measures to ensure safe and smooth journey for the homebound people across the country on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. As part of government move, the four-lane Second Meghna Bridge and the Second Gumti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway have been inaugurated.
Besides, Konabari and Chandra flyovers, four underpasses — Kaliakoir, Deohata, Mirzapur and Gharinda underpasses, and two more bridges — Kadda-1 and Bimail on the Joydebpur-Chandra-Tangail-Elenga Highway, under the SASEC Road Link Project, were also inaugurated. And these six bridges are expected to facilitate the homebound passengers on their Eid journeys.
However, as the condition of many roads and highways still remains dilapidated severe traffic congestions will be created, experts opined. Apart from Dhaka-Chattogram highway, there is no good news for southern and northern-region home bound people on this Eid. Dhaka- Mymensingh, Dhaka-Sylhet highways are still in poor condition.
Besides, long tailback is also expected on the Dhaka-Mawa highway as construction of four lane expressway is continuing there. Passengers may also suffer on Dhaka-Narsingdi-Sylhet highway, as the roads and bridges are narrow and risky. Ministers and authorities concerned are worried over the condition of roads and highways throughout the country as many big ruts have developed on those busy highways and roads.
However, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader recently stressing on disciplined driving for safe Eid journey has said, “We have built new bridges, underpasses and roads, but all this will go in vain if drivers don’t exercise discipline”. Besides, the concerned ministry has also taken a wide range of initiatives to ensure smooth journey of holidaymakers, as per the initiatives, officials concerned have been given a set of 32-point directives. The ministry also ordered to complete the road repairing works seven days prior to the Eid.
Under this, highway police, bus owners-workers and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will be on roads and highways to decrease passenger sufferings. Special arrangements are also made at the ferry ghats to ease traffic congestion. It was learnt that last year there were serious tailbacks created on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway due to narrow Meghna and Gumti Bridge at Daudkandi upazila, and construction of the country’s first ever six lane flyover at Feni.
But this year, there will be no congestion as new bridges are already inaugurated for vehicular movement ahead of Eid on this highway. But opposite scenario will be found at Dhaka- Savar- Nabinagar-Chandra-Tangail- Elenga highway. During Eid vacation, long tailbacks are created from Gabtoli to Elenga. As illegal establishments, markets, parking and other shops have grown up on both sides of the highway, normal vehicular movement is disrupted.
Besides, big holes on the roads also reduce vehicular normal speed, creating traffic congestion, which needs immediate repairs, said area bus owners. But as the four lane flyover and bridge construction work on this highway is complete, homeward passengers may get relief this Eid. Passenger suffering is also expected on Dhaka- Tongi- Gazipur- Mymensingh highway. The minister also expressed fear about this highway. The 12 kilometers of roads from Dhaka to Gazipur is undergoing several development works, which will be responsible for homebound passengers facing miserable plight.
Four lane expressway construction work is continuing at Dhaka- Mawa highway. Additional DIG of highway police said, highway police will conduct surveillance on highways during Eid. During Eid, truck and cargo movement is also restricted for four days before and after Eid. Steps have also been taken to ensure that the CNG refuelling stations across the country remain open round-the-clock seven days before and five days after the Eid. Besides, vigilance teams will remain active round-the-clock to make sure that no passenger is charged extra fare on buses during the Eid journey.
