Traffic pressure has started building on the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, raising fears of severe congestion around Gazipur’s Chandhra and Chandana Chowrasta areas, notorious for Eid travel suffering.
Unplanned road management, roadside cattle markets, illegal parking and random passenger boarding are expected to worsen congestion as garment factories begin Eid holidays on 25 and 26 May in phases to ease pressure on highways.
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain said around 3,000 small and large factories operate in the district. Some factories will remain open until 27 May, while wage-related problems persist in 10-12 factories and are being resolved through discussions.
Highway Police identified 25 congestion-prone points on the two highways. The western end of the Chandhra flyover remains a major bottleneck as the four-lane highway narrows into two lanes. Lack of a bus terminal and indiscriminate crossing through cut medians are also worsening risks.
A visit yesterday (23 May) morning found vehicles moving slowly around Chandhra Trimor, Palli Bidyut and nearby areas due to increased northbound traffic, though no major gridlock formed.
Illegal roadside markets at Chandhra, Safipur, Mawna Chowrasta, Konabari, Bhogra, MC Bazar, Nayanpur and Zainabazar, among other points, are occupying large portions of highway lanes.
Sohag Paribahan driver Harun Mia said the highways already become nearly immobile because of illegal markets, adding that rain could turn the suffering into a “death trap”.
Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Tanvir Ahmed said leaseholders have been asked to remove illegal markets or face eviction drives.
Meanwhile, 111 cattle markets, including 17 within Gazipur city, have been set up ahead of Eid, several beside highways. Authorities fear cattle trucks and random parking could worsen congestion.
To manage the situation, 18 executive magistrates have been deployed at key points, supported by BGB, Ansar and police personnel. Police said drones will be used to monitor congestion, while additional police and four platoons of APBn members have been assigned for traffic management.
Gazipur Superintendent of Police Sharif Uddin said 839 district police personnel will remain deployed round-the-clock in Chandhra and Mawna areas during Eid travel. Senior police officials will also monitor field operations to prevent gridlock and ensure smoother travel.
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nurul Karim Bhuiyan said 22 mobile courts will monitor traffic disorder and overcharging, while BRTC will operate 56 additional double-decker AC buses to ease passenger pressure during Eid travel.
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