Md. Masud Khan, Munshiganj (South)

On the first day of the 9-day Eid holiday, Friday, the pressure of homebound people traveling to the southwestern region via Padma Bridge increased.

This led to long queues of vehicles on the highway. However, while the traffic congestion was severe in the morning, it gradually eased as the day progressed.

A visit to the spot revealed that from early Friday morning, the number of public transport vehicles and motorcycles crossing Padma Bridge surged. This caused long traffic congestion at the northern toll plaza of the bridge. The pressure of private vehicles, passenger buses, and motorcycles increased on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway and at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge toll plaza in Munshiganj. However, as the day progressed, the number of motorcycles decreased, leading to a reduction in congestion.

According to the Padma Bridge authorities, in the morning, a queue of vehicles stretched up to one kilometer at the toll plaza on the Mawa side in Louhajang, Munshiganj. Although the bridge has made Eid travel easier for the people of the southern region, the heavy traffic at the toll plaza is causing difficulties. The main challenge is the additional time required for toll collection, especially for motorcycles.

Abu Sayeed, Executive Engineer of Padma Bridge, stated that the pressure of vehicles increased at the toll plaza on Friday morning. Three separate booths were opened for collecting motorcycle tolls, but additional booths were also introduced to ease congestion. In the early hours, traffic congestion extended nearly one kilometer in the bridge area.

According to Hasara Highway Police sources, multiple checkpoints have been set up at different points on the expressway to control excessive speed, and police are actively monitoring the situation.

Mawa Traffic Police Inspector (TI) Ziaul Haque Zia mentioned that from early morning, the number of vehicles on the expressway significantly increased, leading to congestion at the Padma Bridge toll plaza. Special measures are being taken to address the issue.

Md. Zakir Hossain, OC of Padma Bridge North Police Station, said that due to the increased pressure of motorcycles and other vehicles during the Eid journey, passengers are having to wait longer at the toll plaza.

Law enforcement agencies and bridge authorities are working together to reduce traffic congestion. While the pressure of southward-bound vehicles has increased, traffic on the Dhaka-bound lane remains normal.