Illegal occupation and barriers created intentionally by vested quarters have chocked up the three key exit and entry points of the capital, thus, disrupting the smooth movement of transports carrying the home-bound people on the eve of holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
The points -- Jatrabari, Gabtoli and Abdullahpur -- have already started witnessing severe gridlock much ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, raising worries among the transport owners and the traffic officials.
The gridlock put traffic department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in trouble to cope with the situation.
After a recent visit (Monday and Tuesday last) to Jatrabari, Gabtoli and Abdullahpur, this correspondent found the capital's entry and departure points packed
with vehicles that were crawling the areas because of the traffic congestion.
Talking to the FE, Abul Kashem, a driver of Chittagong-bound Shyamoli Paribahan, said at present they have to spend at least 30 minutes to pass one kilometre distance from Sayedabad to Jatrabari because of bad shape of the road.
He was very critical about the construction firm of the Mayor Mohammad Hanif' flyover, saying that the construction company intentionally create barriers on the road beneath the 11.7- kilometre flyover to force the vehicles to use the toll-based infrastructure.
"Can you imagine, what will happen from next week in the area when the number of vehicles will significantly increase to carry additional number of passengers," he vented his anger.
Construction materials were seen lying scattered at points like Kutubkhali, South Jatrabari, Gulistan and Demra, which have converted the two-way lane into a one-way, leading to the gridlock.
Roadside furniture shops put their various items on display on the roads, squeezing the important road, which connects a number of districts, including the country's prime seaport, with the capital.
Seeking anonymity, a senior official who was engaged with the flyover project said construction and well maintenance of the road under the flyover was in the design of the infrastructure also known as Gulistan-Jatrabari Flyover.
"I don't know why the road hasn't been upgraded yet," he added.
Deputy Commissioner (East) of the DMP Mainul Hasan expressed the fear of possible severe gridlock during the pre-Eid rush of vehicles, saying that moves are on to clear the barriers from the road to ease the problem.
DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed in a recent meeting expressed his serious concern over the bad conditions of roads in the capital's entry and exit points. He also drew attention of the government in respect to the traffic scenario.
Major portions of the road at Gabtoli and Abdullahpur, which have connected the country's northern, southern and northeastern districts with Dhaka, were also seen illegally occupied in the form of makeshift shops and scattered parking of buses.
Talking to the FE, Kamrul Islam, a driver of Tangail-bound Nirala Paribahan, said a number of buses, mini buses and maxis, a small form of passenger-carrying vehicles, are parked at Abdullahpur point to collect passengers blocking the road.
"Simultaneously, roadside clothing and fruit vendors have also squeezed the road, making it difficult to make the road vibrant round the clock," he said.
When contacted, Secretary General of Bangladesh Road Transport Association Khandaker Enayetullah said they have already expressed their concern over the traffic situation at the entry and exit points to the Ministry of Communications and requested them for taking necessary steps.
"Of course, the points have emerged as a threat to smooth movements of transports for both Eid holidaymakers and transport owners," he added.
The Communication Minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the dilapidated condition of the roads on several occasions and instructed the officials concerned for taking immediate measures to make the roads usable.
Transportation experts, however, were very critical of common practices of the government to do maintenance work of the roads and highways just ahead of the occasions like Eid, saying that the government should strictly enforce the country's existing laws against illegal occupants and activities that damage communication infrastructure.
Illegal occupants, vested quarters control key city exit, entry points
Jubair Hasan | Published: July 19, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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