14km tailback snarls traffic on Dhaka-Tangail Highway as Eid holidaymakers return

A tailback stretching 14km has formed on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway, causing untold suffering for people returning to the capital after spending the Eid holidays with their families.

The congestion began early on Saturday morning, stretching from the toll plaza of the Jamuna Bridge to Elenga, according to Faiz Ahmed, chief of the Jamuna Bridge East Police Station.

Arif Hossain, a resident of Ashulia who was stuck near the bridge, said: "I've never faced traffic like this on the way back after Eid before. This is the first time. Although there’s no direct sun, the oppressive humidity is unbearable, especially for women, children, and the elderly."

OC Faiz said the gridlock was primarily caused by reckless driving by some vehicle operators. "Police are working to ease the congestion, and traffic flow is expected to return to normal soon," he added.

Mohammad Sharif, chief of the Elenga Highway Police Outpost, said that the traffic jam had also affected the Sirajganj end of the bridge due to the excessive volume of vehicles.

Highway Police personnel are working to restore normal traffic flow, he added.