United News of Bangladesh

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. DMP issues traffic guidelines for hassle-free Eid travel 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. “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.

People found parking their vehicles on the road haphazardly, should be punished instantly, said LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Monday. It is quite common in the city that many shops were set up occupying roads and vehicles were seen parked haphazardly which is the main reason behind traffic congestion, he said. Tajul revealed this information while speaking at a dialogue on the title of ‘Unbearable tailback: What’s the solution?’ organized by Dhaka Utility Reporter’s Association (DURA) at Dhaka Reporters Unity. The minister also urged the law enforcement agencies to go tough on it. Also read: DU struggles to manage parking problems on the campus Traffic congestion is common in many countries and many of these have managed to reduce it but it is difficult for us, he said adding “We have to identify the problem and search for a solution. Though we are not sitting idle, we are working on it.” He also urged the authorities concerned to take steps to encourage people to use public transport as the number of private vehicles is increasing gradually. “It is not possible for one organisation to resolve the traffic jam problems alone and if we work together it can be possible to reach its desired goal. The participation of common people is needed in this regard,” said Tajul. It is needed to regulate the population in Dhaka city, he also said. The government is approving a Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and through it Dhaka will be expanded, he added. Also read: No respite from illegal parking in city Replying to a question on whether any steps would be taken to hand over the traffic management to two city corporations, LGRD minister said “The two city mayors are interested in working more and we want to see whether they have the capacity to manage the traffic system.”

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Sunday conducted a drive against illegal food stands, installations, and parking on the Manik Mia Avenue bicycle lane.

Illegal parking has become prevalent in the capital due to lack of enforcement of traffic rules, intensifying gridlocks and lack of parking spaces amid unplanned urbanisation.