A surge of homebound passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr has led to increased traffic pressure on highways, particularly in Gazipur, causing long tailbacks and commuter suffering.
With garment factories in Gazipur beginning holidays in phases, congestion has intensified on the Dhaka–Tangail Highway. By around 4am on Wednesday, a 10-kilometre tailback formed near Mouchak.
Traffic jams were reported from Safipur in Kaliakoir to Chandra Bus Terminal, and from Kabirpur on the Chandra–Nabinagar road to Chandra on the Tangail highway. Although police managed to keep vehicles moving slowly in some areas, many stretches remained gridlocked due to the lack of alternative routes.
Superintendent of Police Amjad Hossain of the industrial police said factories are being granted leave in phases to ease Eid travel.
He added that 98% of factories in the district have paid February salaries, and 99% have paid Eid bonuses. Of 2,834 garment factories, 2,790 cleared salaries and 2,816 paid bonuses by Tuesday. The remaining dues are expected to be cleared by Wednesday and Thursday.
Around 81 factories will remain partially operational during Eid, while 2,753 factories will remain closed.
Authorities said Gazipur has 770 factories under the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), 147 under the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and 136 under the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMEA), alongside 1,781 subcontracting units.
Officials noted that workers, having received salaries and bonuses, are leaving for their hometowns in large numbers, increasing both passenger volume and vehicular pressure on highways.
Traffic has eased slightly between Mouchak and Chandra, though vehicles are still moving slowly. Congestion persists around the Chandra Bus Terminal due to indiscriminate passenger pick-up and parking.
On the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway, slow movement was observed at Abdullahpur, Tongi, Bhogra, Chandana intersection, Chandra, Maona intersection and Jainabazar. Long queues formed at several points as buses, trucks and private cars increased.
Law enforcement agencies have deployed additional personnel at key areas to manage the situation and respond quickly to congestion.
Industrial police said about 5% of workers have yet to receive February salaries, while 9% of factories have not paid Eid bonuses, though payments are expected soon.
Homebound workers said staggered holidays have reduced travel difficulties compared to previous years when all factories closed simultaneously.
Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) SM Ashraful Alam of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) said special measures have been taken, including deploying around 1,000 plainclothes police and keeping nine wreckers ready to remove broken vehicles.
Officer-in-charge Saugatul Alam of Naojor Highway Police Station said additional police and law enforcement personnel are working across highways to ease congestion.
Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Amrit Sutradhar said passenger movement has increased at night as factories shut from Tuesday afternoon. Around 1,000 metropolitan police members and 859 district police are on duty, alongside highway and industrial police.
Superintendent of Police Sharif Uddin said over 800 officers are deployed on key routes, including the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways, with heightened vigilance in the Bishwa Road area of Kaliganj.
GMP Commissioner Israel Hawlader said staggered factory holidays were introduced to reduce pressure on highways and ease travel.
Strict measures have been taken to prevent illegal parking and random passenger pick-up. We hope this year’s Eid journey will be more comfortable than last year,” he said.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
