Eid journey: Pressure of vehicles doubles on northern routes

The pressure of people and vehicles on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway has increased due to the Eid journeys by road. Now, twice as many vehicles are plying on the road than usual. Many of the people heading towards their hometowns or villages in northern Bangladesh to spend the holidays with their near and dear ones are returning home in open trucks carrying cattle.

On Wednesday (June 4) morning, people were seen waiting on the road for public transport at important areas including Nagar Jalfoi, Rabna and Elenga bus stands on the highway. Passengers have alleged that transport officials are taking advantage of this opportunity to charge additional fares. They have sought the intervention of the administration to stop the demand of extra fares.

Meanwhile, several road accidents occurred on the Jamuna Bridge connection road in the early hours of today. As a result, intermittent traffic jams have been created. Traffic movement returned to normal after the accident-hit vehicles were removed from the road.

Sultan Bepari, who is going to Rajshahi, said, “The buses are charging Tk 600 to 700 instead of Tk 300. We are seeking the intervention of the administration.”

Bus driver Gafur Mia said, “We have to go to Dhaka from North Bengal with an empty car due to which the fare is being charged a little higher. Although the pressure of vehicles has increased, the road is currently normal.”

Jamuna Bridge East Police Station OC Faiz Ahmed said, “Although there is pressure of vehicles on the highway, there is no traffic jam. Adequate number of police are on duty on the highway.”