15-km tailback on Dhaka-Tangail highway

Thousands of workers are heading home to celebrate Eid, causing severe traffic congestion in the Chandra tri-mohor area of Gazipur. A 15-kilometre tailback has stretched from Chandra to the Konabari flyover on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, with long-distance buses stuck for hours in some places.

All garment factories in Gazipur were closed simultaneously on Tuesday morning, May 26, as workers began their journeys to celebrate Eid. The massive movement of people created intense pressure in the Chandra area. Two hours of torrential rain further compounded the suffering on the roads.

Around 4:00 pm, severe traffic congestion was seen on the north-bound lanes from Konabari to the Chandra flyover on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, and from Baripara to Chandra tri-mohor on the Chandra-Nabingar road. Transport officials said the congestion is likely to intensify gradually as long-distance buses from Dhaka begin their journeys in the evening.

A passenger named Abdullah said he boarded his vehicle at Tongi Signboard at 2:00 pm and took three hours to reach Chandra. "God knows how much more time it will take to cover the rest of the road," he said.

Another passenger, Anwar Hossain, said it took one hour just to cross from one side of the Chandra flyover to the other. "I don't see law enforcement playing any role in managing the traffic chaos. Thousands of passengers are suffering," he said.

Naojor Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saugatul Alam said all garment factories have closed, and millions of passengers are heading north. Additionally, vehicles from Dhaka and surrounding districts are also heading north via Chandra. Hundreds of vehicles are also picking up passengers in the Chandra area, all contributing to the congestion. "We are trying our best," he said.