Home-goers suffer on highways, rail routes

Eid holidaymakers travelling to various parts of the country in buses and trains suffered as huge tailbacks were seen on highways and at ferry terminals. To make matters worse, train services were disrupted following a derailment. People suffered as near 100-km long tailback were created on the Dhaka-Tangail highway from the Chandra intersection in Gazipur to the Bangabandhu Bridge yesterday (Friday). Long tailbacks were also seen on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, as a large number of vehicles that had left the capital were seen moving slowly. There was a 10-km long tailback from Tepra in Manikganj to Baniajuri on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, as vehicles were stuck at the Paturia ferry terminal, causing immense suffering to home-bound people. On the other hand, a Khulna-bound train derailed on the Bangabandhu Bridge. This led to suspension of train services between Dhaka and the country’s north and north-western districts.

All trains leaving Kamlapur were crowded and many could not reach their destination on time. Most trains left the station late with those for north Bengal faced three to five-hour delays. The Dhaka-Tangail highway witnessed a tailback of upto 100km since early yesterday, disrupting Eid holidaymakers’ home journey.

Extending to the Bangabandhu Bridge from the Chandra intersection in Gazipur since around 3:00am, the tailback was continuing even around 3pm, according to our correspondent from Tangail. The tailback was continuing at the time of filing of the report.

Children and elderly people were the worst sufferers. Some holiday makers said it took them more than six hours to reach the Tangail bypass from the Chandra intersection.

Tangail’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Kamran Hossain, who is in charge of the Bangabandhu Bridge area, told The Independent that they are trying their best to keep the vehicles moving.

“The condition of the road has deteriorated due to rain. There are potholes, dents and mud on the road. Police officers and volunteers are trying to keep the vehicles moving. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon,” he added.

The Superintendent of Police of Tangail, Sanjib Kumar Biswas, said a massive traffic congestion on the highway from Ashulia to the Bangabandhu Bridge was created due to the pressure of Dhaka-bound cattle-laden trucks and vehicles of Eid holidaymakers.

Law enforcers and volunteers have been working on the highway to ease the gridlock, Biswas said. Again, vehicles were seen moving slowly on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, as a large number of vehicles left the capital on Friday morning for various destinations of the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

The police said vehicles carrying home-bound people are moving slowly at the Chandana intersection, Board Bazar, Gazipur intersection and Tongi due to heavy pressure of vehicles.

Besides, vehicles are moving relatively at a low speed due to potholes caused by the ongoing construction work of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority.

Highway police, metropolitan police, community police and volunteers from city corporations are working to maintain discipline on the highway.

There was huge pressure at the Paturia Ferry Terminal mainly due to Dhaka-leaving vehicles and people ahead of Eid.

Vehicles were moving at a slower pace on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, costing holidaymakers double the time it usually takes for them to reach home. It took two hours to travel 26km from Manikganj to Paturia as the number of vehicles on the highway had increased significantly.

Ferry services at the Paturia terminal was, however, normal after two hours of gridlock as smaller vehicles were diverted at Tepra to enter the terminal through an alternate route.

 

Home-goers suffer on highways, rail routes

Eid holidaymakers travelling to various parts of the country in buses and trains suffered as huge tailbacks were seen on highways and at ferry terminals. To make matters worse, train services were disrupted following a derailment. People suffered as near 100-km long tailback were created on the Dhaka-Tangail highway from the Chandra intersection in Gazipur to the Bangabandhu Bridge yesterday (Friday). Long tailbacks were also seen on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, as a large number of vehicles that had left the capital were seen moving slowly. There was a 10-km long tailback from Tepra in Manikganj to Baniajuri on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, as vehicles were stuck at the Paturia ferry terminal, causing immense suffering to home-bound people. On the other hand, a Khulna-bound train derailed on the Bangabandhu Bridge. This led to suspension of train services between Dhaka and the countrys north and north-western districts. All trains leaving Kamlapur were crowded and many could not reach their destination on time. Most trains left the station late with those for north Bengal faced three to five-hour delays. The Dhaka-Tangail highway witnessed a tailback of upto 100km since early yesterday, disrupting Eid holidaymakers home journey. Extending to the Bangabandhu Bridge from the Chandra intersection in Gazipur since around 3:00am, the tailback was continuing even around 3pm, according to our correspondent from Tangail. The tailback was continuing at the time of filing of the report. Children and elderly people were the worst sufferers. Some holiday makers said it took them more than six hours to reach the Tangail bypass from the Chandra intersection. Tangails Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Kamran Hossain, who is in charge of the Bangabandhu Bridge area, told The Independent that they are trying their best to keep the vehicles moving. The condition of the road has deteriorated due to rain. There are potholes, dents and mud on the road. Police officers and volunteers are trying to keep the vehicles moving. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon, he added. The Superintendent of Police of Tangail, Sanjib Kumar Biswas, said a massive traffic congestion on the highway from Ashulia to the Bangabandhu Bridge was created due to the pressure of Dhaka-bound cattle-laden trucks and vehicles of Eid holidaymakers. Law enforcers and volunteers have been working on the highway to ease the gridlock, Biswas said. Again, vehicles were seen moving slowly on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, as a large number of vehicles left the capital on Friday morning for various destinations of the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The police said vehicles carrying home-bound people are moving slowly at the Chandana intersection, Board Bazar, Gazipur intersection and Tongi due to heavy pressure of vehicles. Besides, vehicles are moving relatively at a low speed due to potholes caused by the ongoing construction work of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. Highway police, metropolitan police, community police and volunteers from city corporations are working to maintain discipline on the highway. There was huge pressure at the Paturia Ferry Terminal mainly due to Dhaka-leaving vehicles and people ahead of Eid. Vehicles were moving at a slower pace on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, costing holidaymakers double the time it usually takes for them to reach home. It took two hours to travel 26km from Manikganj to Paturia as the number of vehicles on the highway had increased significantly. Ferry services at the Paturia terminal was, however, normal after two hours of gridlock as smaller vehicles were diverted at Tepra to enter the terminal through an alternate route.