Prolonged congestion has hit the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sitakunda, as queues of heavy vehicles at petrol pumps choke traffic.
Commuters say 30 minutes’ journeys are taking nearly three hours, causing widespread suffering for passengers and severely disrupting the movement of goods along the busy corridor.
The situation is most severe along a nearly 30-kilometre stretch from City Gate to Sitakunda, where at least seven congestion points have been identified, forcing both long-haul and local vehicles into hours-long delays on one of the country’s busiest highways.
A visit to Sitakunda found almost a one-kilometre-long queue of heavy vehicles in front of Bhatiary Filling Station, occupying nearly half of the Dhaka-bound lane and effectively reducing the highway to a single lane, slowing traffic. In some cases, vehicles entering petrol pumps block the entire road, worsening congestion.
Officer-in-Charge of Baro Aulia Highway Police Station Abdul Momin said trucks, covered vans, lorries, and trailers line up along one side to collect fuel, significantly narrowing the road. “Drivers sometimes form double lines, which leads to severe congestion,” he said.
He added that while police are trying to ease traffic, managing the situation is difficult due to simultaneous gridlocks at multiple points. Traffic remains relatively manageable during the day but worsens as pressure and fuel queues increase.
The Sitakunda upazila administration said local filling stations are experiencing a partial shortage of octane and petrol, though diesel supply remains stable.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdullah Al Mamun noted that several large pumps serving heavy vehicles transporting goods to Dhaka and other destinations are creating congestion. “We are ensuring uninterrupted diesel supply and conducting regular drives to maintain proper distribution,” he said, adding that around 25,000 litres of illegally hoarded diesel were recently recovered, and monitoring has been intensified.
The Dhaka-Chattogram highway, a vital economic lifeline connecting Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar to the rest of the country, carries a significant portion of import-export cargo.
According to the Roads and Highways Department, 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles use the corridor daily, contributing to persistent congestion under these strained conditions.
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