Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has directed authorities to ensure congestion-free roads to facilitate safe and uninterrupted travel for passengers during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026.
He issued the directive at a preparatory meeting held at the Bridge Division conference room on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming Eid.
The meeting was chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority Mohammad Abdur Rouf. Officials from the Bridge Division, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority and project directors of its ongoing projects were also present.
At the meeting, the minister said the prime minister has instructed all concerned authorities to ensure that Eid travel remains safe, smooth and comfortable for people across the country. In line with that directive, he called for a coordinated action plan to keep roads accident-free and well-managed during the holiday rush.
He also instructed officials to ensure that construction materials from ongoing projects are not left scattered on or near roads in a way that could disrupt traffic movement. Emphasizing stricter traffic management, the minister called for deploying additional manpower where necessary and taking effective measures to prevent overloading of vehicles during the Eid journey.
Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system must remain operational at both ends of bridges to allow vehicles with ETC cards to cross quickly and without disruption.
He also stressed the need for round-the-clock monitoring of traffic at key intersections through surveillance systems, including keeping CCTV cameras operational at toll plazas and booths.
To facilitate faster toll payments, authorities were advised to ensure adequate availability of small denomination cash at toll booths.
The meeting also called for strict vigilance so that unfit and unlicensed vehicles do not use bridges or highways and create traffic congestion. Vehicle owners, drivers and passengers were urged to cooperate in maintaining discipline during the Eid rush.
It was further requested that trucks carrying cement, rods, stones and sand operate on a limited basis for seven days before and after Eid, and remain completely off the roads for three days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, authorities were instructed to ensure that the transportation of essential commodities, including food, medicine, fuel and perishable goods, remains uninterrupted.