The government has begun extensive preparations to ensure safe and smooth travel by road, rail and waterways during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, with authorities planning special transport services, stricter monitoring at terminals and temporary restrictions on freight movement on highways.
Officials outlined the measures at an exchange meeting held on Thursday at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Division.
According to the decisions taken at the meeting, repair and maintenance work on national highways, major corridors and important roads under Dhaka North and South City Corporations will be completed at least 10 days before Eid to minimize disruptions for travellers.
Monitoring and safety measures
To enhance passenger safety, CCTV cameras will be installed at major bus terminals in the capital, including Sadarghat, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Fulbaria.
These terminals will be linked to the control rooms of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and police, allowing authorities to monitor passenger movement and transport operations from a central location.
Road safety committees at the upazila, district and metropolitan levels have also been instructed to hold meetings ahead of Eid to implement measures ensuring discipline on highways and at transport hubs.
Mobile courts will operate jointly with representatives from BRTA, police, city corporations, district administrations, the Roads and Highways Department, upazila administrations and transport owners’ and workers’ associations.
These courts will take action against overcharging of fares and the practice of carrying excess passengers.
Authorities also plan to remove temporary and floating markets along highways and strictly prevent the use of goods vehicles to carry passengers.
Transport arrangements
To reduce congestion at toll plazas, electronic toll collection (ETC) booths will remain operational around the clock during the Eid travel period.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will operate special bus services to accommodate the surge in passengers leaving Dhaka.
Meanwhile, the movement of trucks, covered vans and lorries on highways will remain suspended for three days before and three days after Eid, except for vehicles carrying essential goods.
Fuel and CNG filling stations will remain open 24 hours a day for seven days before Eid and five days after, including the day of Eid itself.
The government has also requested garment factories and other industries to grant workers leave in phases to reduce pressure on transport services.
Central monitoring system
A central control room will operate for seven days, from three days before Eid to three days after, to coordinate and monitor travel management.
Passengers will be able to contact the control room through telephone number 16107 and mobile numbers 01550051606 and 01550056577.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said authorities are working to ensure a smooth journey for millions of travellers.
“Nearly 15 million people will leave Dhaka during Eid. Managing the movement of such a huge number of passengers within a short period is a major challenge. However, we will try our best to ensure a comfortable and smooth Eid journey,” he said.
Responding to questions about extortion and excessive fares, the minister said strict instructions have been issued to the relevant agencies.
“There will be no opportunity for extortion or overcharging. If any complaint about fares beyond the fixed rate is received, exemplary action will be taken,” he said.
Mobile courts will also operate against unfit or faulty vehicles, while alternative transport arrangements will remain ready if disruptions occur.
“We will give our hundred percent with the resources we have. Hopefully, this year’s Eid journey will be completed smoothly,” the minister added.
Coordinated efforts
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal chief coordinator Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP, said coordinated efforts among the administration, transport owners, workers, journalists and law enforcement agencies had helped manage Eid travel successfully last year.
“Using that experience, we will manage this year’s Eid travel even better,” he said, expressing hope that stricter enforcement against extortion and overcharging would ensure passenger safety.
State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid, MP, and State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md Rajib Ahsan, MP, attended the meeting as special guests.
Senior officials from government and private institutions, representatives of transport owners’ associations and workers’ organizations, and journalists from print and electronic media were also present.