With Eid-ul-Fitr drawing near, thousands of people are preparing to leave the capital city for their village homes. However, concerns are growing among them that Eid travel for passengers heading to northern districts may not be smooth this year due to the ongoing construction work of Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway.
A visit to several sections of Tongi–Ashulia–EPZ Road and Nabinagar–Chandra Highway shows that parts of the road have narrowed significantly due to the construction work of the elevated expressway. In some areas, construction materials have been piled along the roadside, while heavy machinery occupies space in others. Safety barriers installed for pedestrian protection have also reduced the usable road width at several points.
Although alternative diversion roads have been set up in a few locations, locals question whether they will be sufficient to handle the surge in traffic during the Eid rush.
The Nabinagar–Chandra Highway is a vital route connecting Dhaka with at least 17 northern districts. Traffic pressure on the road multiplies during Eid every year, often causing severe congestion where even short journeys can take several hours.
Garment worker Sultan Anwar, who regularly travels from Abdullahpur to Baipail via Tongi–Ashulia–EPZ Road, said commuting has already become difficult even during normal times.
“It took me nearly two hours to reach Baipail from Abdullahpur. Under normal conditions, the trip takes around 40 minutes. The situation could worsen during Eid,” he said.
Bus driver Humayun Kabir voiced similar concerns. According to him, traffic movement has slowed as the road has become narrower at several points. “If measures are not taken now, passengers may face immense suffering during the Eid holidays,” he said.
The officer-in-charge of Savar Highway Police Station said authorities usually take additional measures to ensure smooth travel during Eid, and preparations are underway this year as well.
“We are planning our traffic management strategy, keeping the construction of the Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway in mind. The authorities concerned have been informed about the obstacles on the road,” he said.
Officials involved in the project said that about 58% of the physical work of Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway has already been completed.
The project was approved in 2017 with an initial estimated cost of Tk 16,901 crore and a completion deadline of June 2022. However, delays in signing loan agreements slowed the start of construction.
The project was later revised, extending the deadline to June 2026 and raising the estimated cost to Tk 17,553 crore. Another revision is now being planned, which may increase the project cost by nearly 55% and extend the completion deadline to June 2028.
Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam acknowledged that some inconvenience is unavoidable during the construction. “We are trying to minimize the sufferings of commuters. Necessary measures are being taken considering the traffic pressure,” he said.