Massive gridlock is feared on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway from Jatrabari to Cumilla’s Daudkandi during this year’s Eid home-going rush.
Officials of the traffic control department and transport workers have identified some glaring reasons, including flaws in highway management system, ahead of the impending outflow of people.

From Jatrabari to Siddhirganj’s Shimrail intersection, the highway operates with eight-lanes, but, traffic congestion could possibly be formed on the Kachpur Bridge as it is operating with a single lane.

On the other hand, vehicles are parked on both sides of the road between Signboard and Sanarpar area which also hampers ease of movement during business hours.
Reportedly, unscheduled stopping of buses to pick up and drop passengers disrupts the normal pace of vehicles in the area.

Admitting the aberration, Traffic Inspector, Mollah Taslim, deployed at Shimrail area, said that slowing vehicles create congestion, resulting in extra pressure on the road.

“Traffic control officials will put their best to avoid unnecessary trouble and suffering on the road”, he assured.

The slow pace of collecting toll at the Meghna-Daudkandi toll plaza is deemed to be another cause, forming tailbacks in the area.
According to several transport workers, corruption and irregularities of toll plaza workers plus competition among drivers create 20 to 25 km gridlock along the road.

They also demanded the government to focus on mentioned problems to reduce traffic clogs.

Referring to the issue, Major (Retd) Ziaur Rahman said, “Toll plazas have been upgraded, introducing touch and go service this year to speed up operations.”
“Number of toll collection booths have also been increased,” he said.

The traffic control department is sensing a probable tailback due to the road-space rationing system during the festival.
However, the Kachpur Highway police sources say, traffic congestion won’t be formed if restriction is imposed on heavy vehicles.
Commenting on the seemingly intractable problem, Narayanganj Nagorik Committee President, Advocate AB Siddiq, said: “most of the drivers engage in the dangerous act of overtaking, thus encroaching into other lanes.”

Once drivers exercise restraint and patience, traffic jams will reduce significantly, the civil society representative hoped.