Eid travel fears on Cumilla stretch of Dhaka–Ctg highway

Despite government assurances of hassle-free Eid travel, commuters fear suffering on the Cumilla stretch of the Dhaka–Chattogram highway due to varous reasons including encroachment and illegal parking.

Passengers and transport operators said these problems along the roughly 105-kilometre highway section could trigger severe congestion as homebound travellers begin their Eid journeys.

A recent visit to different points of the highway revealed that vehicles are being parked haphazardly on the two-lane highway in areas such as Gouripur in Daudkandi upazila.

Similar scenes were observed in Eliotganj of Daudkandi, Madhaiya, Kutumbpur and Chandina Sadar in Chandina upazila, Nimsar in Burichang, Padua Bazar and Suagazi in Sadar Dakkhin, and Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar in Chauddagram upazila.

Encroachment of footpaths is particularly visible at Padua Bazar, Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar.

Meanwhile, roadside markets are frequently set up directly on the highway in areas like Nimsar, Miyabazar and Chauddagram Sadar.

Besides, road repair works are currently underway in Amtali and Nishchintapur areas of Cumilla Sadar upazila due to damaged road sections, forcing vehicles to move slowly through those stretches.

Padua Bazar has emerged as a particularly sensitive point on the highway.

The Cumilla–Noakhali regional road intersects the Dhaka–Chattogram highway at this location, with transport services to Lakshmipur and Chandpur also passing through the intersection.

Locals said buses are often parked haphazardly beneath the foot overbridge on the Chattogram-bound lane at Padua Bazar, creating congestion near a nearby U-turn point.

The situation is further complicated by roadside vendors occupying the footpaths and road edges.

Passengers are also picked up by buses standing under the foot overbridge at the entrance to the Noakhali road, frequently causing traffic gridlock in the area.

In addition, a bus counter has been set up near a mosque at the intersection, where buses often wait on the highway itself, disrupting the smooth movement of vehicles.

Passengers Meghdat Hossain, Fakhrul Islam and Alauddin said traffic congestion frequently occurs due to footpath encroachment, irregular parking and roadside markets.

If monitoring is not strengthened, people travelling home for Eid will suffer greatly, they warned.

Abdul Halim Majumder, general secretary of the South District Committee of Cumilla Bachao Manch, stressed the need to free footpaths from encroachment and create designated parking spaces for buses, reports UNB. 

“Buses should not be allowed to stop at intersections. Instead, designated stopping points should be arranged slightly ahead or behind the crossings,” he said.

Mohammad Shahinur Alam Khan, superintendent  of Highway Police in the Cumilla region, said the authorities are aware of the problems.

“We recently conducted drives to stop footpath encroachment. Discussions have also been held with transport owners and other stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed hope that with everyone’s cooperation, necessary measures will be taken to ensure safe and smooth travel for homebound passengers during Eid, reports UNB.