20km tailback hits Dhaka–Tangail highway before Eid rush

With only two days left before Eid-ul-Fitr, a surge of homebound travellers is putting increasing pressure on highways as people leave Dhaka to celebrate with their families.

A roughly 20-kilometre stretch of slow-moving traffic has developed on the Dhaka–Tangail highway, from the Jamuna Bridge to the Rabna Bypass, causing long delays and suffering for drivers and passengers.

On Thursday morning, visits to key نقاط along the highway—including Elenga bus station, Rabna Bypass and Ashakpur Bypass—revealed severe congestion. Passengers were seen travelling not only by bus but also in trucks, pickups and microbuses, often taking significant risks.

Private cars and motorcycles outnumbered buses on the highway, as many commuters turned to rented vehicles amid a shortage of public transport and higher fares. As a result, some passengers were forced to travel in open trucks and pickups.

According to the Jamuna Bridge Authority, 51,584 vehicles crossed the bridge in the 24 hours from midnight Tuesday to midnight Wednesday.

Of these, 32,840 vehicles were heading towards northern districts, generating toll revenue of Tk 19.71 million. Meanwhile, 18,744 vehicles travelled towards Dhaka, generating Tk 15.47 million in tolls.

Officials said 4,641 more vehicles crossed the bridge on Wednesday compared to the previous day, reflecting the growing pressure of the Eid travel rush.