A 15-kilometre-long tailback on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway caused immense suffering to hundreds of passengers on Wednesday.
The congestion stretched from Madanpur to the Meghna toll plaza, resulting in a slow movement of vehicles.
Police and local sources say traffic gridlocks have been there in the surrounding area of the highway since Tuesday night.
As the day progressed, the intensity of the congestion started to increase.
Tired of waiting for a long time, frustrated commuters started crossing the area on foot.
Abu Zafar Mia, who works at a private company, left on foot as a result of the severe traffic jam.
“I work in a clothing store. I am trying to get to my workplace by crossing the Meghna Bridge by bus. But due to heavy traffic, the bus could not move half a kilometre in an hour. So, I left on foot. If there is less traffic ahead, I will catch another vehicle. Otherwise, I will have to walk the whole way,” said the frustrated Zafar Mia.
Jamal Miah, a CNG-run autorickshaw driver, said he has been sitting in the same place for a long time due to the congestion.
“There is no alternative route to cross this area except the highway,” he lamented.
Rashed Ahmed, a truck driver going to Comilla with goods, said he has been sitting in the Kanchpur area for about three hours since morning.
“No one knows when this suffering will end,” he said.
Kanchpur highway police Officer-in-Charge (OC) SM Abul Kashem Azad said hundreds of thousands of followers of Hinduism have gathered in the Langalband area to celebrate a bathing festival, which caused the traffic congestion.
“Additional teams of the Highway Police are working to clear the traffic jam. Once this festival is over, the traffic congestion will gradually decrease,” he added.