Every year, around 12 million people leave Dhaka for their hometowns during Eid, leading to severe congestion on roads and highways. This causes immense suffering for travelers.

Authorities have identified 159 traffic-prone spots across the country and ordered road repairs at key corridors seven days before Eid. However, congestion persists due to ongoing work on the elevated expressway, narrowing roads at key exits from Dhaka. Additionally, illegal occupations of service lanes and wrong-way driving by auto-rickshaws worsen the situation.

With the Padma Bridge in operation, the pressure on the southwestern road network will increase again this year. The 18-kilometer-long traffic congestion in Rupganj on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway remains a constant issue. Meanwhile, work on the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur four-lane project is still incomplete, creating further delays for northern-bound travelers. Many are frustrated with the temporary fixes authorities implement only before Eid.

According to private statistics, nearly 1,868 cases of snatching and 113 incidents of robbery occurred on highways in the past eight months. This has left bus operators worried about security, as criminals often disguise themselves as passengers before robbing travelers.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association has instructed staff not to pick up passengers along the way to prevent such incidents. However, with special Eid train services being cut by half this year, experts fear even greater travel disruptions.

Transport specialist Dr. M. Hadiuzzaman notes that these temporary preparations never provide a sustainable solution. He argues that decentralizing Dhaka is the only viable option, as handling such a massive exodus of people at once is unrealistic.

Meanwhile, highway police continue crackdowns on illegal bus stops and are increasing patrols to enhance security. However, experts emphasize that without year-round enforcement and a shift in mindset toward responsible road use, traffic woes during Eid will persist.