Holidaymakers this Eid-ul-Fitr are expected to enjoy a smooth and hassle-free journey as the condition of roads and highways is better than any time before.
The sufferings of home-goers are likely to ease to a great extent this year since some new bridges and flyovers on Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Tangail highways, the two highways on which holidaymakers usually went through nightmarish experience in the previous years, have opened.
Besides, conditions of the other major routes have also improved significantly because of timely implementation of the repairing works undertaken by the authorities concerned. According our correspondent, the grim scenario of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway has totally changed following the inauguration of the second Gumti and the second Meghna bridges a couple of weeks before the Eid.
People who travel on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway have heaved a sigh of relief as the opening of the two bridges has significantly eased their sufferings.
Hundreds of passengers used to suffer a lot before the opening of the two bridges as a 15-25 kilometre-long tailback was often created due to serious gridlock on Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
A passenger who usually needed eight hours to reach Cumilla, can now go to the district city within one and a half to two hours. These bridges have reduced the severe traffic congestion significantly, speeding up transport movement on the highway. “There is no traffic congestion on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway right now as these two bridges are helping the flow of vehicle movement smoothly, and easing congestion at traffic signs of intersections with other roads,” an official said.
Authorities concerned expect that the smooth movement of traffic will be maintained in the forthcoming holiday season. Opening of a number of overpasses and completion of a good portion four-laning works of Dhaka-Tangail highway is likely to ease the sufferings of home-bound passengers of the north, and north-western part of the country.
However, people of the northern and north-eastern regions may suffer a bit as the 13km stretch from Tongi Bridge to Joydevpur Chowrasta on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway is likely to witness traffic jams due to the ongoing work of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The holidaymakers of southern districts may not get respite from congestion at Paturia-Daulatdia ferry ghat. It is because hundreds of buses would queue up for only 20 ferries.
Those taking Dhaka-Mawa highway would face problems due to the development work along the highway and at Shimulia-Kathalbari ferry terminals.
Millions of people are expected to leave the capital Dhaka and travel to their respective village homes from Friday to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Although the official three-day Eid holiday begins from June 4 (Tuesday next), due to weekend holidays on both ends, except a working day on Monday, more people are expected to leave the city and enjoy Eid festival in their village homes this year.
In the meantime, a big fraction of the commuters have already left the city Thursday afternoon onwards as the nine-day unofficial ‘vacation’ literally began after office on Thursday. Huge rush of home-bound passengers were noticed at all city bus and launch terminals, train stations as well as domestic airports on the day.
Meanwhile, to enjoy the ‘nine-day’ unofficial continuous ‘vacation’ thousands of applications were said to be filed by government as well as private organisation staff members for leave approval on Monday, the only working day in between the Eid ‘vacation’. Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslims, will be celebrated in the country either on June 5 (Wednesday) or June 6 (Thursday) subject to the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Huge crowds of commuters were found seeking tickets on Friday at various bus and launch terminals and train stations in the city. As the day got older the rush got bigger and bigger although law enforcers maintained discipline keepings travelers in order. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, meanwhile, said on Friday that the condition of roads and highways is far better than before.
He said, "This year, the road travelers of homebound people will be comfortable and there'll be no traffic jam and accident if drivers abide by traffic rules and refrain from talking on mobile phones while driving." The minister made the remarks while briefing journalists after visiting a mobile court drive of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in the city's Gabtoli area.
The commuters are also finding it comfortable and seeing discipline at bus, launch terminals and train stations. “It is better managed as we found no brokers selling tickets and no unnecessary shoving and pulling while standing in queue,” said Zahir Khan, a traveler standing in a long queue for bus ticket for Khulna at Gabtoli bus stand.
Another traveler – Jamal Ahmed at Mohakhali bus terminal standing at a counter for tickets to reach Mymensingh echoed similar voice saying, “Things seem to be in very good order as there is no brokers and unnecessary rush in ticket counters. People are showing patience to maintain order. Meanwhile, it is learnt that here are plenty of buses available in the city terminals to take the travelers to their respective destinations. “We are kept extra buses on standby to instantly make up for shortfall of buses this time. We planned ahead of the holidays so that travelers can comfortably make their journeys,” said Sayeed Hossain, manager of a bus company on Dhaka-Chittagong route.
According to police, railway, road and river water ways sources, an estimated 75 lakh people are expected to leave the city for enjoying Eid at their village homes. They are traveling by outbound trains, buses and launches until Wednesday to reach their destinations. However, light to moderate traffic congestion is being created at different places of the roads and highways, reports say.
The railways are more said to be preferred as travelers are fearing huge traffic congestions on highways during the Eid rush. S Lenin Ahmed who left capital on Friday morning reached his village home Jogania at Naragati police station under Narail district, said, “There is no traffic congestion on Dhaka-Aricha highway. I reached my home without any trouble.”
The authorities of Bangladesh Road Transport, BRTA and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport, BIWTA and various law enforcement agencies have already taken measures to ensure safety and security of the travelers keeping constant vigil on the terminals and stations. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is operating a central control room in Dhaka, round-the-clock from Friday and it will be continued until June 9 to ensure smooth journeys for home-goers during the Eid vacation.
Bangladesh Police has instructed police officials to verify drivers’ licenses, buses’ fitness certificates and other documents prior to each Eid journey.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary said in a directive to police officials that bus helpers may not replace drivers, and initiatives will be taken so that no vehicles carry passengers on the roofs of buses.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is providing special service to waterway passengers from Friday aiming to ensure their safe journey during the Eid-ul-Fitr. Talking to Bangladesh Post Manager of Daulatdia Ghat of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Shafiqul Islam said that movement of goods carrying trucks will be suspended on Paturia- Daulatdia ferry route during the six days holiday and after Eid-ul-Fitr and 20 ferries will carry passengers to ensure their safe journeys.
Adequate policemen have been deployed at entry and exit points of every terminal and also on the roads and highways to ensure smooth vehicular movement. Police are checking the licenses of drivers and fitness of vehicles before the buses begin their journey from the terminals. The organisations of transport owners and workers will help the law enforcers to this effect. Operation of mobile courts remains in effect while transport owners’ bodies installed closed circuit (CC) cameras at the bus terminals.
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