Eid journey: Steps taken to reduce sufferings on highways

Huge traffic congestion on highways, especially on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, causes immense sufferings to Eid holiday makers and transport workers every year. 

This year the authorities concerned have taken some steps to keep the highways congestion free to reduce public hassle.

The initiatives will ease the sufferings of holidaymakers, who will travel to 16 northern districts and six southern districts, said government officials concerned.

In Tangail, the Gorai flyover located under Mirzapur upazila was opened on April 25 for vehicular movement.

“The flyover will ensure smooth movement of vehicles,” said Noor-e-Alam, additional director of (SASEC)-1 project.

Around 610 policemen and 200 APBN members will be deployed there to ensure smooth movement of traffic.

Normally, some 12,000 to 13,000 vehicles ply daily through this highway. But the numbers of vehicles rise to around 50,000 during Eid rush, according to highway police.

The Eid rush is likely to be heavier this year as there is no Covid restriction this year.

The government is upgrading the highway from Tangail's Elenga to Rangpur under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)-1 and SASEC-2 projects.

As part of the development work, road expansion works are underway between Bangabandhu bridge's west end and Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj.

Passengers on the highway especially children, women and the elderly people suffer. This year, about 25 temporary toilets have been constructed in different places of the highway.