Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway has increased on Saturday during the Eid journey as people return home in response to the call of their roots, though no traffic jams have occurred, allowing for a smooth and hassle-free return.
Despite complaints regarding a shortage of public transport and the collection of excessive fares from passengers, approximately 750 police officers have been deployed to address traffic issues along the 65-kilometre stretch of the highway in Tangail.
Additionally, the army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are also providing assistance.
However, people are returning home at the risk of accidents and inconvenience, travelling on the roofs of trucks, pickups, and even chicken cages.
Along with men, women and children are also seen travelling under risky conditions.
Upon visiting various points along the highway, it was observed that traffic congestion had occurred, with both public transport and private vehicles heading to their destinations.
Traffic police, local police, district police, and highway police officers are all working together on the highway.
Travellers report long wait times on the highway without finding passenger buses, and many buses are charging excessive fares, forcing people to pay the extra fare to reach their homes.
The Jamuna Bridge authorities reported that, in the last 24 hours, from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday, 48,335 vehicles crossed the bridge.
Of these, 30,398 vehicles headed to the northern region, generating a toll collection of Tk19,098,550.
On the other hand, 17,937 vehicles travelled toward Dhaka, with a toll collection of Tk14,754,350.
Khondkar Iqbal Hossain, the former president of the Tangail District Bus Coach Minibus Owners Association said that the increase in fares on the highway is due to various factors.
To resolve the traffic issue, around 70 volunteers are working on the road, he said.
Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman mentioned that although there is an excessive number of vehicles on the highway, no traffic jam has occurred so far.
Police officers are working around the clock to address the traffic issues, he said.
Notably, the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway is the second-largest in the country.
This highway is the only road link between the capital, Dhaka, and the northern region.
Vehicles from 24 districts in both the northern and southern parts of the country travel on this road.
Every year, a certain group of unscrupulous businessmen put out old, unfit vehicles on the road before Eid, which often break down on the highway.
Additionally, from Elenga onwards, vehicles used to travel on a single lane up to the bridge, causing severe traffic jams.
However, this year, the northbound lane from Elenga to the bridge has been opened, allowing for four lanes of traffic.
This has helped prevent traffic jams on the highway.
