The seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday has begun, prompting a mass exodus of people from the capital, Dhaka, to their hometowns across the country. Encouragingly, traffic along the Dhaka–Chittagong highway, particularly the 104-kilometre stretch in Comilla, remains smooth, offering relief to travellers who have faced severe congestion in previous years.
On Tuesday (17 March), after 10:00 am, traffic was flowing steadily, though vehicle density has noticeably increased, especially on lanes heading towards Chittagong. Drivers and passengers alike have expressed satisfaction, noting that the usual hardships caused by long traffic jams have been largely avoided this year.
Daudkandi Highway Police Officer-in-Charge, Iqbal Bahar Mozumdar, said, “This year, the highway police have taken Eid travel as a significant challenge. We are maintaining a 24-hour presence along the highway to ensure travellers have a safe and enjoyable journey. Although traffic is increasing, particularly on Chittagong-bound lanes, overall movement remains smooth.”
Abul Kalam, a driver for Comilla Asian Transport, reported, “Even though the holiday has started, there is no traffic congestion. It took just 2 hours 15 minutes to reach Comilla from Dhaka. With active police oversight, I hope traffic will remain clear throughout the journey.”
Passenger Kamal Hossne added, “Usually, we leave home with an extra two to four hours to spare because of expected jams. This year, however, the journey was exceptionally smooth. I reached Comilla’s Paduar Bazar in just two and a half hours on a Hanif Transport bus. I appreciate the efforts of the police and local administration for making this possible.”
To enhance safety and reduce travel-related inconveniences, the highway police have identified 27 key points along the Comilla–Chittagong stretch for 24-hour monitoring. These include bus stands, markets, bridges, and high-traffic junctions known for congestion and criminal activity.
Key Monitored Points on Dhaka–Chittagong Highway
| District/Upazila | Monitored Locations |
|---|---|
| Comilla, Daudkandi | Baldakhal Bus Stand, Gauripur Bus Stand, Amirabad, Chandina Bazar, Madhaiya Bazar, Kutumbpur Bazar, Elliotganj Bazar |
| Comilla, Burichong | Nimsar Bazar, Cantonment Area, Paduar Bazar (Bishwaroad) |
| Chouddagram | Mia Bazar (both lanes), Chouddagram Bazar (Dhaka-bound lane) |
| Feni | BSCIC Mor, Lalpol Area, Rampur Bridge Area, Koska Bazar, Chagolnaiya Samiti Bazar |
| Chittagong | Zorarganj Baria Hat, Mirsharai, Sitakunda Bus Stand, Bara Darogar Hat (weight scale), Portling, Choto Kumira, KDS Mor, Vatiary Point, Barbkunda Bazar |
Comilla Regional Police Superintendent Shahinur Alam emphasised that multiple pre-Eid meetings were held with transport owners and workers to ensure smooth travel. “By identifying congestion-prone areas and taking proactive measures, we aim to minimise traveller discomfort this year,” he said.
Executive Engineer of Roads and Highways Department, Comilla, Khandakar Golam Mostofa, added, “Where road construction was underway, works were temporarily suspended and lanes cleared to facilitate traffic. Coordinated efforts with highway police are expected to reduce traveller inconvenience this Eid significantly.”
With proactive monitoring, coordinated administration, and police vigilance, this year’s Eid travel along the Dhaka–Chittagong highway has been comparatively smooth, allowing passengers to reach their destinations safely and efficiently.