Heavy Eid travel has caused severe traffic congestion on parts of the Dhaka–Tangail and Nabinagar–Chandra highways, with jams stretching up to 15 kilometres in Gazipur.
The situation worsened on Wednesday afternoon after most factories in the Gazipur industrial area closed around noon. Thousands of workers left for their Village homes at the same time, putting intense pressure on transport services.
Passengers said the number of People on the highway far exceeded available Transports. Many were forced to travel in trucks and pickups due to a shortage of buses.
Commuters also alleged that transport operators were charging excessive fares. Several passengers reported paying double or even triple the usual rates.
Samia Khatun, a garment worker, said she waited for two hours at Bhogra Bypass to travel to Rangpur. “It’s very difficult to get a bus. Even when available, fares are much higher,” she said, adding that she eventually boarded a truck with her family.
Another worker, Shahin, said he could not find transport to Sirajganj after waiting for hours and decided to return home and try again the next day.
Passenger Abdul Haque said fares from Chandra to Sirajganj had risen sharply. “The usual fare is Tk 300, but now it’s around Tk 800. Transport conditions are also poor,” he said.
Highway police confirmed increased passenger pressure and said action would be taken if allegations of overcharging are proven.
Dhaka Range DIG Rezaul Karim Mallick visited the Chandra area and warned of action against transport operators involved in irregularities.
Authorities expect the pressure to continue until Thursday as more people leave the Capital for Eid.
