Eid journey: Road to celebration or road to tragedy?

For the nearly 20 million people heading to their hometowns from Dhaka this year, apart from joy and celebration, Eid has also filled their hearts with uncertainty and fear of tragedy.

"I hear news of highway robberies every day, and the number of accidents is terrifying. The police are nowhere to be seen," said Imran Parvez, a resident of Faridpur upazila in Pabna district.

"During Eid, we buy expensive gifts for our families; what if we get robbed? Thinking about this, I am confused about whether I should go home or not. I have never celebrated Eid alone, but this might be the first time," he added. 

His concerns are not unfounded as data from the Road Safety Foundation indicates a sad reality. 

Last year, road accidents increased by 39.20% during Eid, with fatalities rising by 20.19%. In just 15 days before and after Eid, 367 people lost their lives, and at least 1,500 were injured in 358 road accidents. These figures are not just statistics; they represent shattered families, disrupted lives and the loss of loved ones during what is meant to be a joyous time of celebration.

The pattern of road accidents continues this year. On Friday (28 March) alone as of writing this piece, several serious crashes had already occurred. In the morning, a road accident in Kushtia claimed the lives of a three-year-old child and his mother, leaving the father injured. 

In Gazipur, two people were killed in a similar crash, while another accident in Panchagarh took the lives of two individuals, including a child. In Banani, a bus carrying garment workers overturned, injuring 42 passengers.

And this year, adding to these concerns is the deteriorating law and order situation across the country, heightening fears for those travelling during the holiday.

Over a thousand police units, but 'too little, too late'?

"We have divided the total 3,991 km of highways across the country to manage traffic efficiently despite our shortage of manpower. We received only 700 additional personnel from police headquarters, which is insufficient. That is why we have collaborated with local district police stations," said Md Delwar Hossain Mian, additional IGP of Bangladesh Highway Police. 

A total of 1,018 patrol units and check-posts are being set up across the highways all over the country. The highway police have deployed 377 units, with 277 patrol units and 100 check posts, while district police have deployed 641 units, operating 527 patrol units and 114 check posts. 

However, many feel these measures are not enough to tackle the deeper problems that contribute to road accidents and criminal activity.

Saidur Rahman, executive director of the Road Safety Foundation, believes these actions are too little, too late. 

"Organising meetings just a few days before Eid doesn't change anything. Road safety planning should be a continuous process spanning years, not days. You cannot solve this crisis with two or three meetings," he said. 

In his view, solutions need to be more long-term and proactive, with continuous improvements in road quality, vehicle standards and law enforcement, and at least three years of planning.

Addressing traffic woes

As almost 20 million people rush out of the capital in a matter of two to three days, traffic congestion becomes unbearable. Some of the biggest bottlenecks are the toll plazas at major bridges like Padma and Jamuna. 

"Since we do not have an automated toll system, we are suggesting an alternative solution. Instead of just relying on booths, additional personnel will be stationed ahead of toll gates with mobile booths to expedite the process," Additional IGP Delwar explained. 

The police have also identified 155 "black spots" that cause severe traffic jams, often due to bad roads and local markets operating dangerously close to highways. 

"We have had meetings with the Roads and Highways Department to ensure repairs are completed before Eid. As for the markets, we have requested the deputy commissioners [DCs] of those areas to deploy magistrates to regulate activities," Delwar added. 

Tazwan Rahman, a local resident of Bogura who currently lives in Dhaka, expressed his frustration over the growing hazards on the roads.

"The highways were already unsafe for us bikers. Now the battery-run rickshaws are making the situation worse. You cannot drive on highways without indicators and just wave hands to indicate which side you're going. This is foolish and stupid," he said.

Saidur Rahman is also sceptical about this. 

"The real problem is that during Eid, nearly two crore people leave Dhaka within two to three days. We do not have enough vehicles or proper roads to accommodate such a massive movement. Because of this, people often use unsafe vehicles like trucks, auto-rickshaws and battery-run rickshaws to leave the city, which significantly increases the risk of accidents," he argued. 

"Authorities try to manage the situation when people leave Dhaka. But when they return, it's complete chaos. Offices reopen on the same day, meaning everyone comes back at once, but no one is there to maintain traffic or road safety at that time," he added.

What about crime?

While police could not provide an exact number of highway robberies, data from the Police HQ shows that robbery in general increased to 171 in January and 153 in February this year, compared to 114 and 121 in the same months last year. 

These numbers reflect a growing concern about the safety of travelers, particularly during Eid when people are often carrying cash and valuables.

"To combat this, we have set up checkpoints at critical points such as Chandra, Nabinagar, Hemayetpur, and multiple points along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. Additionally, our 277 highway patrol units and 527 district police patrol units will be monitoring key areas to prevent criminal activities," said Delwar. 

But fears persist. 

"I travel with cash and expensive items during Eid. Just last week, I heard of a bus being stopped by robbers at night. The passengers lost everything. How can we feel safe when incidents like this keep happening?" questioned Rashedul Alam, a businessman from Mymensingh.  

"Our forces are working tirelessly. While we may not have all the resources we need, we are doing our best to ensure the safety of every traveler this Eid," Delwar assured.

Despite these efforts, Saidur Rahman believes more needs to be done. 

"We need long-term strategies, including better roads, an automated toll system and strict regulations on which vehicles can enter highways. Only then can we expect a real change," he stated.

"Millions of people are preparing for their Eid journey, but they are doing so with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The road to celebration should not be a road to disaster," he concluded.