Traffic heading towards Dhaka via the Padma Bridge increased significantly on Friday and Saturday as large numbers of people have started returning to their workplaces in Dhaka and elsewhere.
However, despite the surge in vehicles, there have been no major traffic jams or disruptions.
In a span of 24 hours on Friday, a total of 38,781 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge, with 24,922 heading towards Dhaka. Until 3pm on Saturday, 19,870 vehicles had crossed the bridge, of which 12,191 were Dhaka-bound.
Abu Saad, executive engineer of the Padma Bridge, said: “Since the end of the Eid holidays, Dhaka-bound traffic has increased over the past two days. Due to the pressure on the Jajira end, vehicles have been lining up for 300 to 500 metres during toll collection. We are collecting tolls through 15 booths, and there is little to no passenger suffering. As motorcycle pressure is low at the Mawa end, the special booth there has currently been closed.”
Meanwhile, the Dhaka-bound lanes of the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway are witnessing heavy traffic, but without any congestion. The Mawa-bound lanes have seen little pressure.
Abdul Kader Jilani, officer-in-charge of the Hashara highway police station, said that traffic movement on both lanes of the expressway is completely normal.
