Manikganj – Hundreds of buses that left the capital for their destinations were stuck in a long tailback at Paturia ferry terminal, causing immense suffering to the home-bound Eid holidaymakers.“A gridlock extending more than 28 kilometres has thrown everything into disarray,” said Zillur Rahman, assistant manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s Aricha office.
Police say they believe there are more than 5,000 private cars stuck in the tailback that extended from Paturia ferry terminal to Manikganj town.
Locals said they never saw such a huge tailback.The mad rush during Eid holidays always creates traffic congestions on the roads. In the morning, the Dhaka-Tangail Highway was hit by a 100-km gridlock as the number of vehicles was excessive.
Vehicles were moving slowly on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway. Meanwhile, a 20km tailback developed near the Bangabandhu Bridge in the afternoon.
It is unclear when the situation will be fixed as thousands of people wait to reach their destinations to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their families on Monday.
Rifat Rahman Shamim, Superintendent of Manikganj Police, said they have been trying to ease congestion on the highway.
Mohiuddin Russel, director, BIWTA Aricha office, said a huge number of passenger buses and cattle-laden trucks put an extra pressure last night.
“Three new ferries were supposed to be added to the fleet to tackle the situation during Eid-ul-Azha but only one ferry was arranged,” he said. “Nineteen ferries are currently operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route.”Passenger buses and trucks carrying cattle and perishables were being allowed on ferries on priority basis, he said.UNB
