A regular traffic jam is reported on a 12-kilometre under-construction Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, extending from Bishwaroad crossing to Ashuganj roundabout in Brahmanbaria, due to a massive surge in vehicle pressure ahead of Eid.
Passengers and transport workers have expressed fears of significant suffering during the Eid journey and the return to Dhaka. In response, the road construction project department and highway police have assured that necessary measures will be taken to alleviate the situation.
According to project officials, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project to upgrade the 51-kilometre highway from Ashuganj river port to Akhaura land port from two lanes to four in October 2017.
Following various surveys and evaluations, the Indian contracting firm started work on the 51-kilometre highway in three packages in March 2020. However, the firm has been unable to complete the four-lane work on the around 12-kilometre stretch from Ashuganj port to Bishwaroad in the last eight years.
As a result, hours-long traffic jams occur daily between the Ashuganj roundabout and Bishwaroad crossing, causing extreme hardship for long-distance passengers and drivers on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway.
Babul Mia, a driver for Sylhet-bound Shyamoli Paribahan, said, “It takes two hours to reach Bhairab from Dhaka. On the other hand, it takes an hour to an hour and a half to cover the 12 kilometres from Ashuganj to Bishwaroad.”
Khatihata Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Taher said the police have been attempting to control the traffic from morning until night for the past few days.
He noted a manpower crisis but added, “I hope at least 25 police members will join the highway police station within a day or two. This will reduce the level of suffering on the highway to some extent. There is no possibility of a major traffic jam occurring during the Eid journey.”
Project Manager Md Shamim Ahmed said special measures have been taken to ensure no traffic jams occur in the 12-kilometre area between Ashuganj and Bishwaroad ahead of Eid.
He mentioned that the four-lane work in the Ashuganj roundabout area has been completed and opened, meaning there is no possibility of congestion in Ashuganj.
Regarding the Sarail-Bishwaroad crossing, he added, “Initiatives have been taken to ensure there is no traffic jam there. After completing repair work, the four-lane road will be opened on Saturday.”
