Thursday, 20th August 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 11th February 2026, 7:14 AM
During the four-day voting holiday for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, a significant exodus of city dwellers to their native villages has caused a sharp rise in traffic on the Dhaka–Tangail highway and across the Jamuna Bridge. Correspondingly, toll collection at the bridge has increased markedly.
According to the Jamuna Bridge Authority, a total of 36,923 vehicles crossed the bridge over the past 24 hours, generating BDT 29,471,650 in toll revenue. Analysis of the data indicates that northbound traffic exceeded southbound traffic towards Dhaka.
Syed Riaz Uddin, Executive Engineer at the Jamuna Bridge Site Office, reported, “Traffic congestion began intensifying on the highway from Monday night. The situation peaked on Tuesday afternoon when the heavy volume of vehicles caused intermittent traffic halts. However, traffic flow returned to normal as the day progressed.”
The detailed toll collection and vehicle movement over the past 24 hours are presented in the table below:
| Destination | Number of Vehicles | Toll Collected (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound | 23,989 | 17,494,900 |
| Dhaka-bound | 12,934 | 11,976,750 |
| Total | 36,923 | 29,471,650 |
Engineer Syed Riaz Uddin further noted that traffic congestion typically escalates during the night, particularly in the morning and early afternoon hours. Nevertheless, vehicles are currently moving at a normal pace.
Authorities have advised drivers and passengers to exercise caution due to the elevated traffic levels during the election holiday period. They also warned that similar congestion could continue in the coming days owing to election-related travel.
Given that northbound traffic significantly surpasses southbound flow, the bridge authority has maintained heightened operational vigilance to ensure smooth movement. Observations show that traffic speed can be temporarily reduced between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. due to the peak influx.
The Jamuna Bridge’s traffic and toll data not only reflect vehicle volume but also serve as a key indicator of the country’s principal road connectivity and access to polling centres, underscoring the bridge’s strategic importance during national events.
Comments