Eid homebound rush begins amid scattered disruptions, tight monitoring
Authorities enforce 7-day truck ban to manage pressure
As city residents started heading home ahead of Eid-al-Adha, authorities have introduced special measures across road, rail and river routes to ensure a safe and smooth Eid journey.
The homebound rush was slightly disrupted yesterday by scattered road accidents and train delays.
Despite the pressure of homebound passengers, cattle carriers and goods-laden trucks, the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Cumilla saw no major traffic congestion. Vehicles moved steadily, though slowly, at several points along the 105-kilometre stretch from Meghna-Gomti Bridge toll plaza in Daudkandi to Padua in Chauddagram.
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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir visited the Elenga area on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway on his way to Bogura, inspecting traffic management and the overall law and order situation.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has imposed restrictions on goods vehicles on highways. According to a notification issued yesterday, trucks, covered vans and tank lorries will remain off highways for seven days from May 25 to 31, including three days before and after Eid. However, vehicles carrying cattle, essential goods, perishables, garments, medicines, fertiliser and fuel will remain exempt.
To support emergency coordination and smooth traffic management, the authorities requested contacting the road transport and highways division's central control room at 01550051606, 01550056577, 01550722065 and 01550722066, if necessary.
On the river routes, the Coast Guard has issued strict warnings and stepped up surveillance to prevent accidents during the Eid period. At a press briefing held at Sadarghat yesterday, Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque said special measures have been taken to ensure passengers do not board or disembark launches outside BIWTA-designated points.
He said Coast Guard patrols have been intensified across river routes, including monitoring of passenger launches as well as vessels carrying cattle, to prevent any untoward incidents during the Eid rush.
In the rail sector, Railway Secretary Fahimul Islam had earlier assured that no major schedule disruption was expected during Eid operations. However, the Bijoy Express bound for Jamalpur from Chattogram departed more than three hours late.
Earlier in the day, after inspecting Kamalapur Railway Station, the railway secretary said special measures had been taken to prevent roof travel and ensure passenger safety, with Railway Security Force, GRP and mobile courts deployed at key stations.
He also said a strengthened three-tier security system had been introduced to prevent ticketless entry, while the railway authorities have allowed 25% standing tickets to manage peak Eid demand.
