Years of congestion on Dhaka–Sylhet route begin to ease
The improvement followed a site inspection and traffic directives issued by Adviser Fouzul Kabir, who had personally experienced gridlock on 8 October
Traffic flow has returned to normal on the Sarail highway stretch of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway after months of severe congestion, offering relief to drivers and passengers who had long endured inhuman delays.
Although vehicle pressure remains, there are no traffic jams, and dividers have been installed to restore order. Repair work is ongoing under the supervision of responsible officials, transforming the previously chaotic road almost overnight.
The improvement followed a site inspection and traffic directives issued by Road Transport and Bridges adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, who had personally experienced gridlock on 8 October.
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After abandoning his car and reaching the Sarail highway by motorcycle, the adviser blamed traffic mismanagement more than the poor road condition and instructed a 12-member monitoring committee to maintain round-the-clock supervision.
The stretch is part of the larger Ashuganj–Akhaura four-lane highway project, approved by ECNEC and launched in 2020 with a budget of Tk5,791 crore, contracted to Efcon Infrastructure Limited.
Since its inception, the project has faced multiple crises, resulting in slow progress. Of the 12-kilometre stretch from Ashuganj Roundabout to Sarail highway, only 62% has been completed. Financial complications had halted work for months, creating potholes and traffic bottlenecks that caused vehicles to take four to ten hours to cover the section.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges recently established a monitoring committee to accelerate repair work. Following the adviser's directives, temporary repairs were undertaken rapidly, restoring normal traffic flow and significantly reducing travel time.
Local bus driver Hanif Mia said, "In recent months, it took 10–12 hours to reach Sylhet from Dhaka. But over the past two days, traffic has improved dramatically. Passing Bishwaborod and Ashuganj Roundabout is now almost instantaneous."
Passenger Rakib Hossain stressed the need for a permanent solution, noting that delays were caused by both the contractor and road authorities. "Traffic may return if construction is not completed quickly," he said.
Officials confirmed that the project is implemented in three packages: Package-1 is 62% complete, Package-2 55%, and Package-3 has not yet started due to various complications. Mostakur Rahman Bhuiya, manager of Package-1, said contractor staff have returned, and work is progressing rapidly, aiming for completion within the extended deadline of June 2027.
With these measures, drivers and commuters finally have a reprieve from years of congestion, signalling a hopeful turn for one of Bangladesh's most critical highway arteries.
