Heavy traffic congestion is feared at four major points on the Jamuna Bridge–Tangail–Dhaka highway during the upcoming Eid travel rush due to six key factors.
Authorities say a 13-kilometre stretch where traffic from six lanes narrows into two lanes could trigger severe slowdowns.
In addition, poorly maintained local buses breaking down on the highway, ongoing construction work on flyovers and the highway, slow or temporarily halted toll collection, excessive motorcycle movement on the bridge, and road accidents are also likely to worsen congestion.
Because of these factors, traffic jams are most likely at four critical points – Elenga, Gol Chattar, the toll plaza, and on the Jamuna Bridge itself – during the northbound Eid travel.
According to officials, vehicles from 24 districts use the Jamuna Bridge–Tangail–Dhaka highway regularly. On average, 20,000 to 22,000 vehicles cross the route daily.
The 13.5-kilometre stretch between Elenga and the Jamuna Bridge has long been a bottleneck. During Eid, the number of vehicles crossing the bridge exceeds 66,000 per day.
Vehicles coming from Dhaka through six lanes, including service lanes, are forced into two lanes after reaching Elenga, significantly slowing traffic and causing congestion.
The problem is often compounded by unfit local buses operating on the highway. When these vehicles break down, traffic disruption increases several times over.
Although the administration has taken measures to ensure a safe Eid journey, issues such as vehicle breakdowns, motorcycle interference, accidents, toll management problems, and the lane bottleneck are expected to continue causing difficulties.
These concerns were identified during three meetings on safe Eid travel organised by the district administration. Authorities and relevant agencies say they are working day and night to address these issues.
Officials from the Roads and Highways Department said the six-lane highway from Gorai to Elenga in Tangail is already operational. However, four-lane construction work is still ongoing on the 13.5-kilometre stretch between Elenga and the Jamuna Bridge.
The section from Gorai in Mirzapur up to the Jamuna Bridge spans 65 kilometres, all within Tangail district. Around 20,000–22,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily via this route, but the number rises several times once the Eid holidays begin.
Low-income workers from factories often begin their journey home using cheaper local buses or alternative transport. Some of these vehicles break down on the highway, and removing them can take 20–25 minutes, often causing long traffic queues that take hours to clear.
According to sources at the bridge toll plaza, 48,368 vehicles crossed the bridge on 25 March last year after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays began. After the Eid-ul-Adha holidays started last year, 66,489 vehicles crossed the bridge on 15 June.
Although authorities had increased the number of toll booths and taken steps to maintain road discipline for safer travel, poorly maintained vehicles breaking down still caused major disruption.
A visit to the 24-kilometre stretch between Tangail town bypass and the Jamuna Bridge found the highway to be in relatively good condition. Construction of the four-lane expansion continues beyond Elenga, and work on a flyover near the Elenga bus stand is also underway.
Abdul Baset, a helper of a Nirjon Enterprise bus operating on the highway, said unfit vehicles often run freely during the Eid rush.
“Whenever one of these vehicles breaks down at a critical point, traffic jams start immediately. It takes at least 30 minutes to remove such vehicles, and during Eid, those 30 minutes are crucial,” he said.
He added that motorcycles also create difficulties on the Jamuna Bridge. “Whenever there is a small gap, motorcycle riders try to squeeze in, causing inconvenience for other drivers,” he said.
Although the bridge authority has arranged separate toll booths for motorcycles, they are not always sufficient, and congestion often occurs on the bridge itself when vehicles move slowly and closely packed.
Drivers and passengers have also complained that the four-lane expansion project between Elenga and the bridge has been ongoing for several years, causing prolonged suffering. While major parts of the highway have been completed, the 13.5-kilometre section remains unfinished for unclear reasons.
However, Rabiul Auwal, project manager of Abdul Monem Limited, which is involved in the highway development work, said the project is nearly complete.
“The two newly constructed lanes on both sides of the highway will be opened for traffic soon. This should help ensure smoother travel during Eid,” he said.
Md Sharif, in-charge of the Elenga outpost of the Highway Police, said vehicle breakdowns caused congestion on the bridge and nearby areas during previous Eid holidays.
“Even if the road has six lanes, traffic jams can occur if unfit vehicles are allowed to operate,” he said.
Syed Riaz Uddin, executive engineer at the Jamuna Bridge site office, said toll collection is normally conducted through seven booths on each side of the bridge.
During Eid holidays, the number will be increased to nine booths on each side, making 18 booths in total. Separate booths will also be maintained for motorcycles.
He added that wreckers will remain ready to remove broken-down vehicles or those involved in accidents from the bridge.
Tangail Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said 14 vulnerable points have been identified on the highway from Rabna bypass in Tangail to the Jamuna Bridge.
Police personnel will work in three shifts around the clock, and the highway in Tangail will be divided into four sectors for monitoring.
Around 1,000 police officers will be deployed to manage traffic and prevent congestion from five days before Eid until seven days after the festival, he added.
