As people are leaving the capital for their native homes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha after the resumption of public transport, a 25-kilometre-long tailback was created on Dhaka-Tangail highway on Saturday morning.

Public transport services, which were suspended due to the strict lockdown imposed countrywide to contain the surge of coronavirus, resumed on Thursday, allowing Eid holidaymakers to reach their destinations.

The home-bound passengers, especially children and women have become the worst sufferer due to the tailback, as there is no toilet facilities on the highway.

Starting from the east side of Bangabandhu Bridge, the tailback reached Gharinda area of Tangail.

The huge rush of Dhaka-bound sacrificial animal-laden trucks and North Bengal-bound bus and others transports was the main cause of the tailback on the highway. 

Truck driver Lebu Mia said, "I am going to Dhaka with cows from Pabna. It generally takes a maximum of 50 minutes to reach Rabna from Bangabandhu Bridge. Today It took about two hours. I don't know how long I will be able to reach Dhaka."

Ershad, a pickup driver in Rasulpur area, said it took him an hour to cross 6 km. "Besides, it is too hot today," he added.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bangabandhu Bridge East Police Station Shafiqul Islam and Elenga Highway Police Station in-charge Yasir Arafat could not be reached while contacted.

It is also learnt that long tailbacks of vehicles were created on different highways, including Dhaka-Aricha highways, and Shimulia ferry ghat in Munshiganj and Paturia ferry ghat in Manikganj.

BDST: 1246 HRS, JUL 17, 2021
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