The 105-kilometre stretch of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Cumilla is facing significant hurdles ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, raising fears of heavy traffic congestion for home-bound passengers.
According to passengers and transport stakeholders, four primary issues pose a challenge to a safe journey: encroachment of highway sides and footpaths, haphazard parking, markets on the highway, and ongoing road repairs.
Haphazard parking on the highway is particularly prevalent in Gouripur of Daudkandi upazila, as well as in Eliotgonj, Madhaiya in Chandina, Kutumbpur, Chandina Sadar, Nimsar in Burichang, Paduar Bazar in Sadar South, Miabazar in Chauddagram, and Chauddagram Sadar.
Major footpath encroachments have been reported in Paduar Bazar, Miabazar, and Chauddagram Sadar, while illegal markets have occupied parts of the highway in Nimsar, Miabazar, and Chouddagram Sadar.
In Cumilla Sadar upazila, road damage in the Amtali and Nischintapur areas has led to slow-moving traffic due to repair works. Paduar Bazar remains a critical point as the Cumilla-Noakhali regional highway crosses the main artery here, carrying traffic to Lakshmipur and Chandpur.
Congestion at Paduar Bazar is aggravated by buses parking haphazardly under the foot-over bridge on the Chattogram-bound lane, which impacts the nearby U-turn.
Moreover, mobile hawkers have occupied adjacent footpaths and roads, while buses picking up passengers under the bridge and a bus counter in front of a local mosque frequently led to vehicles being parked directly on the road.
Expressing their concerns, passengers stated, “Traffic congestion occurs frequently on the highway due to footpath encroachment, haphazard parking, and markets. If the administration does not increase its vigilance, home-bound people will face immense suffering during Eid.”
Nasir Uddin, member secretary of the Cumilla City unit of Cumilla Bachao Moncho, emphasised the need for clearing footpaths and creating designated parking spaces. He suggested that buses should be arranged to stand either ahead of or behind intersections rather than directly at the junctions.
Highway Police Cumilla Region Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Shahinur Alam Khan said, “The problems on the highway are within our knowledge. We cleared encroachments from the footpaths a few days ago.
“We have spoken with transport owners and other stakeholders regarding this matter. We hope that with everyone’s cooperation, we can play a role in ensuring home-bound people reach their destinations safely this holy Eid-ul-Fitr.”
