Long-distance travellers are facing immense sufferings as the country’s two main highways – Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Chittagong – are witnessing a huge tailback on Sunday morning ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
A 1.5-kilometre tailback was seen on Dhaka-Chittagong highway from Meghna-Gumti bridge to Daudkandi in Comilla on Sunday morning. The Dhaka-Tangail highway that connects capital Dhaka to country’s northern districts also saw traffic gridlock at different parts in the morning.
Drivers of the two Dhaka-bound trucks Nur Hossain and Ilias Mia said they had been stuck on Dhaka-Chittagong highway since early in the morning.
A driver of a Comilla-bound pick-up van, Rassel Mia, said a 10-minute path from Sonargaon to Meghna bridge took about two and a half hours in the morning.
Daudkandi highway police sergeant Alamgir Hossain said, “Heavy vehicles were stuck on the highway thanks to heavy rain in the night.”
“We hope the traffic jam will ease in next half an hour,” the police sergeant added.
Mirzapur’s Gorai Highway police station sub-inspector (SI) Golam Kibria ascribed the traffic gridlock on the highway to plying of a huge number of trucks carrying sacrificial animals with only a week left for Eid-ul-Azha and excessive rain in the night.
Source: Prothom Alo