As people head home to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their loved ones, traffic pressure on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway has increased; however, despite the rising traffic, many individuals, in an effort to save costs, are risking their lives by travelling home on goods-laden trucks and pickups.
Such scenes were observed throughout the day on Saturday along the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway.
Exposed to the scorching sun, children, the elderly, women, and men are travelling to their destinations on these vehicles, facing significant risks of accidents.
Due to a shortage of public transport and high fares, passengers were compelled to take the risk of returning home in open trucks and pickups.
Afroza Akter, a passenger travelling on a truck said: "If I take a bus, I have to pay double the fare. It's hard to find a seat on buses as they are overcrowded. Even if they take passengers, they charge double the fare. That's why I am going to Sirajganj by truck. The cost is much lower."
Another truck passenger, Latif Mia, said: "I came from Dhaka and am heading to Rangpur. I am travelling by truck because there is a severe shortage of buses, and bus fares are too high. Many people, including me, are choosing to travel by truck or pickup due to lower fares."
According to the authorities of Jamuna Bridge in the last 24 hours—from Thursday midnight to Friday midnight—a total of 48,335 vehicles crossed the bridge.
Among them, 30,398 vehicles travelled towards the northern region, generating toll revenue of Tk19,098,550.
On the other hand, 17,937 vehicles travelled towards Dhaka, generating toll revenue of Tk14,754,350.
Muhammad Sharif, in charge of the Elenga Highway Police Outpost said: "From Friday afternoon, traffic pressure on the road increased. However, despite the heavy traffic, there has been no congestion so far. A sufficient number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed on the highway to ensure a smooth Eid journey. Homebound people are travelling safely and with ease."
