Severe traffic congestion hits Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Sonargaon

A severe traffic jam disrupted movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon area on Sunday morning (May 24) after a vehicle broke down in Cumilla’s Daudkandi, causing hours-long suffering for thousands of passengers and drivers.

The congestion began around 7:30am when a vehicle became immobile on the Chattogram-bound lane in Daudkandi, disrupting traffic flow on one of the country’s busiest highways.

Authorities were unable to remove the stranded vehicle quickly, triggering a long tailback that eventually stretched from the Meghna Toll Plaza to Madanpur in Sonargaon.

Passengers caught in the gridlock described the situation as unbearable.

“I have been stuck near Chaitra Stand for more than 30 minutes. The vehicles are barely moving, and no one could clearly explain the reason behind the traffic jam,” said Aslam Mia, a passenger of Badhan Paribahan.

Shahabuddin, a transport driver travelling from Cumilla to Dhaka, initially suspected an accident had occurred.

“Later we learned that a broken-down vehicle in Daudkandi caused the pressure on the highway and led to this massive congestion,” he said.

Confirming the situation, Officer-in-Charge of Kanchpur Highway Police Station, Mohammad Shamim Sheikh, said the traffic pressure in the Sonargaon section was created due to the disabled vehicle in Daudkandi.

“However, the vehicle has already been removed, and the congestion is gradually easing. Traffic movement is expected to return to normal shortly,” he added.