Nationwide Alert: 207 Congestion Hotspots Identified for Eid

The annual homecoming for Eid-ul-Fitr is set to face unprecedented challenges this year as highway authorities identify a record 207 congestion-prone hotspots across the country’s major arterial roads. This marks a significant 30% increase from the 159 trouble spots identified during the previous Eid season, highlighting the growing strain on Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure.

The data was unveiled following a high-level coordination meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, chaired by the Minister for Road Transport, Railways, and Waterways, Sheikh Robiul Alam. With an estimated 15 million people expected to depart Dhaka within a mere 72-hour window, the government has warned of severe pressure on the Dhaka-Tangail-Rangpur corridor.

Mapping the Bottlenecks

The Highway Police’s analysis indicates that the northern route remains the most vulnerable. Strategic measures, including increased surveillance and the deployment of mobile courts, have been mandated for these specific zones to prevent total gridlock.

Geographical Distribution of Congestion Hotspots:

Strict Stance on Fare Hikes and Safety

In a stern warning to transport operators, Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that any bus found charging even a single Taka above the government-fixed rate would face immediate seizure and cancellation of its route permit. To manage the surge, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will deploy a standby fleet of additional buses.

Furthermore, to ensure a smoother flow of traffic, the movement of heavy goods vehicles—including trucks and covered vans—will be strictly prohibited on major highways from 17 to 23 March. Authorities have also been instructed to clear makeshift shops and illegal parking from roadsides, while garment factories have been advised to stagger their holiday closures to avoid a simultaneous mass departure of workers.

The Controversy of “Welfare Collections”

The meeting also touched upon the contentious issue of roadside “levies.” While the Minister vowed to crack down on extortion, he offered a nuanced distinction regarding collections by registered owner and worker associations. He maintained that funds collected for “welfare purposes” by legitimate organisations do not constitute extortion, provided they are voluntary and documented—a stance that remains a point of debate given the absence of such provisions in the Road Transport Act.

As the exodus begins, the government has activated CCTV monitoring at five major Dhaka terminals and automated toll booths at the Padma and Jamuna bridges to expedite the journey for millions heading home.