Terrible traffic in Dhaka ahead of Eid

Two-thirds of the main roads have been blocked for construction projects, said Julfiqar Ali, assistant commissioner(Traffic) of Uttara.

With Eid-ul-Adha less than a week away, Dhaka residents are experiencing additional traffic congestion – both in and outside the city – mainly because of the entry of cattle-laden trucks and increased pressure of outgoing and incoming vehicles.

This year the traffic situation has worsened because of the ongoing metro-rail construction project. Two-thirds of the main roads have been blocked for this project, said Julfiqar Ali, assistant commissioner(Traffic) of Uttara.

Congested main roads also cause heavy traffic on the narrow side streets.

"Additional cattle-laden trucks are entering Dhaka. These are slowing down vehicular movement in Uttara. There are still fewer outgoing vehicles than incoming ones. The pressure of outgoing vehicles may increase from Thursday when offices close that day," he added.

The same scenario is found at Mohakhali Bus Terminal.

AC (Traffic) of Mohakhali, Subir Ranjan Das, told The Business Standard that he observed congestion of outgoing buses in Mohakhali Bus Terminal on Wednesday.

"It caused a huge traffic jam, but now the situation is under control," he said, adding that they have deployed additional traffic police to control the situation.

"Necessary measures have been taken to ensure safe journeys for home-bound people," he added.

AC (Traffic) of MotijheelSM Bajlur Rashid also held the ongoing construction of the metro rail responsible for gridlocks.

He said, "We are facing additional traffic which may continue until Thursday. Once banks and offices close for the Eid vacation, the congestion will ease."