Jamuna Bridge Faces Surge in 24-Hour Traffic

In the four-day prelude to the 13th National Parliament elections, Dhaka residents returning to their native districts have caused a significant escalation in vehicle congestion on the Jamuna Bridge and the Dhaka–Tangail Highway. The sudden surge in traffic has also led to a marked increase in toll collection.

According to the Jamuna Bridge Authority, a total of 36,923 vehicles crossed the bridge in the past 24 hours, generating toll revenue of BDT 29,471,650. Traffic analysis reveals a pronounced imbalance, with northbound vehicles heading towards rural areas far outnumbering southbound traffic returning to Dhaka.

Executive Engineer Syed Riaz Uddin, stationed at the bridge site office, noted: “Traffic congestion began on Monday night and intensified by Tuesday noon, temporarily halting movement in some sections due to heavy vehicular load. By late afternoon, however, the situation stabilised.”

The detailed toll and vehicle data for the last 24 hours are as follows:

Engineer Riaz added that traffic congestion is generally most pronounced during nighttime and the early-to-mid-morning hours. Despite the temporary build-up, vehicles are now moving at normal speeds.

The bridge authority has urged drivers and passengers to exercise caution, particularly during election holidays, when traffic density tends to increase. They emphasised that such congestion may recur intermittently during peak election travel periods.

Given that northbound traffic substantially exceeds southbound flow, additional monitoring and management measures have been deployed. Observations indicate that vehicle movement may temporarily slow between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Beyond mere traffic metrics, these figures highlight Jamuna Bridge’s strategic significance as a key transport artery connecting Dhaka with northern districts. During national events such as elections, the bridge serves not only as a vital conduit for commuters but also as a logistical indicator of nationwide mobility patterns.