Homebound travel for Eid-ul-Fitr has gained momentum on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway. Despite a steady rise in vehicle volume, the journey remains smooth and free of major congestion.
A visit to the Mawa Toll Plaza in Lauhajang on Tuesday morning revealed a slight increase in South Bengal-bound traffic. Small queues occasionally formed at the booths, but vehicles cleared the area quickly after paying tolls. The pressure remains intermittent; while small clusters of vehicles arrive simultaneously, the flow normalizes within minutes.
Travelers are benefiting from a staggered departure. Because of the extended holiday, many people began their journeys early, preventing a massive, single-day surge that typically leads to gridlock.
TI Ziaul Haque of the Mawa Traffic Zone confirmed that movement across the Padma Bridge is normal. "The number of vehicles has increased, but it remains at a tolerable level," he said. "Since people are traveling in phases, there is no sudden, overwhelming pressure, reducing the risk of significant jams."
On Monday evening, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam inspected the Mawa Toll Plaza. He noted that law enforcement and relevant departments have identified 260 potential congestion points across national highways to ensure a hassle-free journey.
"We have made all preparations to ensure safe and comfortable travel," the Minister stated, adding that his field visit was to oversee the implementation of these measures. He also assured the public that adequate fuel supplies for public transport are guaranteed and that coordinated efforts between the Roads Department and Highway Police will continue for eight days surrounding the Eid period.
