Eid Rush Triggers Long Gridlock on Jamuna Bridge Highway

A nearly 30-kilometre stretch of the Dhaka–Tangail–Jamuna Bridge Highway has been gripped by intermittent traffic congestion amid heavy Eid travel, leaving thousands of passengers stranded for hours.

The gridlock, which began late last night, continued through Thursday, stretching from the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza to Karatipara. Excessive vehicle pressure, coupled with multiple breakdowns on the bridge approach road, slowed traffic movement to a crawl.

Passengers, including children and the elderly, have been among the worst affected, enduring long hours in heat and discomfort. Many travellers reported being stuck overnight with little relief, as vehicles moved only in short bursts before halting again.

According to highway police, reckless driving and the surge of vehicles heading to northern districts ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr have further worsened the situation. Law enforcers said efforts are underway to ease congestion and maintain smoother traffic flow, expressing hope that conditions would gradually improve.

Travellers shared harrowing accounts of their journeys. Sabuj Mia, travelling from Tongi in Gazipur, said he was forced to board a truck after failing to secure a bus seat. What should have been a one-and-a-half-hour journey stretched to nearly 12 hours. He described the journey as exhausting, with intense heat adding to the suffering.

Rehena Begum, who was heading to Rajshahi, said she had been stuck since crossing Chandra, with vehicles barely moving. It took her eight hours just to reach Tangail, far longer than usual. Another passenger, Khorshed Mia, said the lack of available buses forced him to travel on a truck at nearly three times the normal fare, with overcrowding making the journey even more difficult.

The situation has been further aggravated by a sharp rise in traffic on the Jamuna Bridge, one of the country’s busiest transport links. Authorities reported that vehicle movement has nearly tripled compared to normal days, with an average of 36 vehicles crossing the bridge per minute, up from around 13.

In the 24 hours leading up to midnight, a total of 51,584 vehicles crossed the bridge, generating Tk3.51 crore in toll revenue. Of these, 18,744 vehicles were Dhaka-bound, while 32,840 were heading towards northern districts, reflecting the heavy outbound pressure ahead of the holiday.

To manage the surge, all 18 toll booths—nine on each side—have been kept operational. Officials said additional measures are being taken to maintain traffic discipline and reduce delays on the approach roads.

Despite these efforts, the combination of holiday travel, vehicle breakdowns, and limited road capacity continues to put immense pressure on the highway. As Eid approaches, authorities face an ongoing challenge to keep one of the country’s key transport corridors moving while ensuring passenger safety and comfort.