A severe traffic congestion has brought vehicular movement to a near standstill on the Dhaka-bound lane of the Jamuna Bridge western approach road in Sirajganj, extending over an estimated 10-kilometre stretch.
The tailback has spread from the western toll plaza of the Jamuna Bridge Toll Plaza to the Bagbari area under Kamarkhand Upazila, severely disrupting traffic flow along the Bangabandhu Bridge West Link Highway, a key arterial route connecting northern Bangladesh with the capital.
According to police sources, the congestion began to intensify following a series of events late Thursday night and continued into early Friday morning. Multiple collisions involving vehicles on the bridge created bottlenecks, while several mechanically faulty vehicles broke down at critical points along the corridor. These incidents coincided with a sharp surge in passenger movement as people returned to Dhaka and other urban centres after the Eid holidays.
Officials at the Sirajganj police station stated that the combined effect of accident-related disruptions, vehicle breakdowns, and unusually high travel demand has placed extreme pressure on the already busy highway. The volume of incoming traffic, particularly from garment workers and holiday returnees, has increased several times compared to normal levels.
Traffic authorities have been deployed across key points along the route in an attempt to restore order and gradually ease the congestion. However, slow-moving queues of vehicles continue to stretch for miles, causing significant delays for passengers and transport operators alike.
Local commuters reported being stranded for hours without meaningful movement, with some vehicles unable to advance for long periods due to complete gridlock. Essential transport services and long-distance coaches have also been caught in the congestion, further compounding the situation.
Authorities have advised drivers to exercise patience and avoid unnecessary travel on the affected corridor until conditions improve. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with police and highway management teams working to clear damaged vehicles and regulate traffic flow.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities continuing their efforts to normalise traffic conditions on one of the country’s most critical transport corridors.
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