United News of Bangladesh

As Eid-ul-Fitr draws near, Sylhet is witnessing a surge of homebound travellers, with crowded streets and bus terminals reflecting the festive rush. However, alongside the excitement of returning home, concerns are mounting over possible travel woes on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. The rush began gaining momentum from Tuesday as government employees started a seven-day holiday following the last working day on Monday. Since then, transport hubs across the city have been packed with passengers heading to different parts of the country. Eid is expected to be observed on March 21, subject to the sighting of the moon. To ease travel pressure, authorities earlier declared a five-day holiday from March 19 to 23 and later added March 18. Despite these arrangements, travellers and transport operators fear that the Sylhet-Dhaka highway may once again turn into a major bottleneck. The route, a key corridor for passengers from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, has long been plagued by narrow sections, damaged roads and ongoing construction work particularly in Brahmanbaria and parts of Narayanganj. Officials warn that a journey that usually takes five to six hours could stretch to 12 to 15 hours during the peak Eid rush. The most critical section remains the 12-kilometre stretch between Ashuganj and Bishwaroad where construction of a six-lane highway has been progressing slowly. Traffic congestion at the Ashuganj roundabout and Bishwaroad intersection often persists for hours, causing severe delays. Patuaria ferry terminal still unprepared, Eid travellers fear suffering Other congestion-prone areas include Katihata, Sultanpur and Tontor Bazar in Brahmanbaria, where damaged road conditions force vehicles to move slowly. With an increase in vehicle movement during Eid, the situation is expected to worsen significantly, said travellers and highway police. Unauthorised CNG auto-rickshaw stands at Bishwaroad, Kuttapara, Ashuganj, Sohagpur and Sonarampur along with roadside markets and illegal structures are also likely to disrupt traffic flow. According to police, 43 congestion-prone points have been identified along the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. Authorities have deployed additional highway police personnel and taken measures to keep at least two lanes operational in construction zones, while also attempting to control slow-moving vehicles. Despite these efforts, many travellers remain concerned, recalling previous Eid journeys marked by long hours of delays, particularly on the Brahmanbaria stretch. With the number of vehicles expected to rise sharply in the coming days, the combination of heavy traffic and ongoing infrastructure work may once again turn the journey into a prolonged and exhausting experience for Eid travellers. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said efforts are underway to ensure everyone can travel home without any inconvenience. “Managing this huge pressure is challenging. However, following the Prime Minister’s directives, the way we are working gives us hope that everyone will be able to travel home without any hassle,” he said while inaugurating Gona Bridge in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal.

At least 14 people were dead and ten others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van on Sylhet-Dhaka highway at Nazir Bazar in Dakkhin Surma upazila on Wednesday. The accident occurred around 5:30 am when the sand-carrying truck collided with a pickup van carrying construction workers in Kutubpur area, leaving 11 people dead and 12 others injured, said Md Samsuddoha, officer-in-charge of Dakkhin Surma Police Station. The deceased were identified as Rashid Ali, 25, son of Late Sajib Ali of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila under Sunamganj district, Dulam Mia, 26, son of Late Harun Mia of Muradpur village in Shantiganj upazila, Shahin Mia, 40, son of Wahab Ali of Babangaon village of the same upazila, Haris Mia, 65, son of Late Shishu Mia of Alinagar village in Derai upazila, Amina Begum, wife of Abdur Rahim of Haldiura village in Chunarughat upazila under Habiganj district, Sayed Noor, 50, son of late Mofiz Mia of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila, Awlad Hossain, 60, son of late Awlad Ullah of Taleratan village in Shantiganj upazila, Eklim Mia, 55, son of Late Salim Uddin of Patharia village in Dirai upazila, Sijil Mia, 55, son of Barik Ullah of Gachia village, Saurabh Mia, 27, son of Siraj Mia of Bhatipara village, Islam Mia, 27, son of Islam Uddin of Bharhatta upazila under Netrokona district, Meher, 24, daughter of Shamsher Nur of Bhatipara village in Derai upazila, Dudu Mia, 40, son of Sona Mia of Madhupur village in Derai upazila and Badshah, 22, son of Shahjahan of the same village. Also read: 2 college students killed in Kushtia road accident The injured were taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared four of them dead. The pickup van with 20-22 construction workers were heading towards Tajpur. South Surma Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shamsuddoha said the bodies have been kept at Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue. The bodies will be handed over to the families after the legal process, the police officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Mojibor Rahman said Tk 20,000 has been given to the families of each deceased and Tk 10,000 to the families of each injured person.  Also read: Three killed in road accidents in 2 districts Awami League candidate for Sylhet City Corporation election Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury donated Tk 25,000 each to the families of the victims on behalf of the prime minister. Meanwhile, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury rushed to the hospital. He landed at Sylhet Osmani Airport in the morning and went straight to Osmani Medical College Hospital. The state minister inquired about the treatment of the injured. Khalid Mahmud said the government will provide all kinds of assistance to the victims of the accident.  Vehicular movement on Sylhet-Dhaka highway remained suspended for three hours following the accident. A long tailback was created after the accident on the highway. However, vehicular movement resumed around 8 am following police intervention.