Gazipur highways see Eid rush, excessive fares amid rain and traffic congestion

Homebound Eid-ul-Azha travellers in Gazipur have complained about excessive transport fares and severe suffering caused by traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway amid heavy rainfall. Passengers alleged that transport operators were charging several times higher than usual fares by taking advantage of the holiday rush. Yesterday, Eid holidays were declared simultaneously at around 1,500 garment factories and more than 2,500 industrial establishments in Gazipur. From the afternoon onward, millions of workers and other travellers crowded bus terminals, railway stations, and highways at the same time, increasing pressure severalfold on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways.

Officer-in-Charge of the Konabari-Nowjor Highway Police Station Sowgatul Alam told The Daily Star at around 9:30am that there had been long traffic congestion on the highway during the night. “The situation became somewhat normal toward dawn. However, due to the continuous heavy rainfall, traffic pressure on the roads is increasing again,” he said. Traffic Police Inspector Shafik Mia said vehicle movement on the highway had mostly returned to normal, although knee-deep water at the Bhogra Bypass continued to cause suffering for commuters.

However, continuous heavy rainfall since 7:00am intensified the hardship for homebound Eid travellers. A visit to the Joydebpur intersection area this morning showed huge crowds of passengers heading toward northern districts. Many travellers, along with their families, waited for hours without finding suitable transport, while some were forced to break their journeys into several parts. Mithun, 50, who was travelling to Dinajpur with his family, was waiting at Joydebpur intersection. “We are going to Dinajpur, but we cannot find any transport.

We will take a local bus to Chandra first, then board another bus from there. CNGs and buses are demanding Tk 200 just to travel from Joydebpur to Chandra,” he said.

Speaking to The Daily Star, he added, “We have been trying for nearly an hour but still cannot start. How can people afford to go home paying such high fares?” When asked about the allegations of excessive fares, CNG driver Abul Kalam said, “Eid comes only once a year. Normally we charge Tk 30 to Tk 40 from Joydebpur to Chandra, but today we are charging more. After driving today, I will go home as well.” He later refused to comment further.

Additional Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Belayet Hossain told The Daily Star, “We are constantly working to keep traffic movement normal. If any allegations of excessive fare collection are found, immediate action is being taken.” “There is no opportunity to charge fares beyond the fixed rates. Ticket counters are being monitored.”