Normalcy returns to Dhaka-Ctg highway after 3 days

The Dhaka-Chattogram highway, often referred to as the lifeline of the country, saw a return to normal traffic flow after three days of severe congestion. 

By midnight on Saturday (August 24), vehicles began moving again, although the number of passenger vehicles remained low.

Rashed Chowdhury, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Fazilpur Highway Police, confirmed the situation.

By Sunday (August 25) morning, the highway had significantly cleared up. The 40-kilometer stretch from Mirsarai Sadar to Mohipal in Feni on the Chattogram-bound lane, which had been heavily congested, was now free of traffic jams. Various vehicles, including trucks, covered vans, lorries, pickups, private cars, microbuses, and Lagunas, were seen plying the road. Numerous relief vehicles were also observed, but long-distance and local buses were notably absent.

Iqbal Hossain, a human hauler driver, mentioned that he had avoided taking his vehicle out due to the recent traffic chaos. "I couldn’t stay at home any longer, so I ventured out this morning, but there are no passengers," he said.

Nurul Gani Tuhin, a businessman from Mirsarai Municipal Market, shared that vehicles had been stationary for the past three days. "Movement resumed last night, but drivers have suffered greatly," he added.

OC Rashed Chowdhury reported that the traffic jam had been resolved since Saturday night, with vehicles moving smoothly on the Dhaka-bound lane. However, he noted that there was still water on the Chattogram-bound lane at Muhuriganj and Lemua, causing traffic on that lane to remain closed. He indicated that traffic would resume once the water recedes.