A 23-kilometre tailback has formed on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway due to a combination of Eid holiday traffic, vehicle breakdowns, and minor accidents, causing severe suffering for thousands of travellers.

The congestion began shortly after midnight on Wednesday and extended from the Rabna Bypass in Tangail to the western side of the Jamuna Bridge, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours.

Witnesses and passengers reported stop-and-go traffic, particularly on the northbound lane between Pakulla and Tangail, as Eid holidaymakers made their way to northern districts.

Among the stranded vehicles are over a hundred cattle-laden trucks, as well as buses and private cars, with many passengers—including children and elderly people—facing extreme hardship due to the prolonged delay.

Elenga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Sharif said the traffic build-up originated near the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza and stretched towards Elenga, exacerbated by the heavy rush of vehicles.

"The congestion was mainly caused by an unusual surge in Eid travellers, combined with a few accidents and vehicle breakdowns along the highway," said OC Sharif.

He added that a joint team of police and army personnel had been deployed to restore normal traffic flow, and the situation was gradually improving by Thursday morning.

The Dhaka-Tangail highway is a critical artery connecting the capital to the northern and northwestern regions of the country. 

Long tailbacks on this route are common during major festivals such as Eid, despite efforts by authorities to manage traffic with additional patrols and temporary measures.

SMS/