Ahead of the four-day holiday for Durga Puja, thousands of people have started leaving Dhaka for their hometowns, causing severe traffic congestion on the Dhaka–Chattogram and Dhaka–Sylhet highways. A tailback stretching nearly 19 kilometers has formed from Signboard to Meghna Toll Plaza, while vehicles on several parts of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway, including Bhairab, Narsingdi, and Araihazar, are moving slowly or at a standstill.
Passengers reported that routes which normally take half an hour are now taking three to four hours. Some have been stuck on the road for hours. A passenger heading to Sylhet said that the journey usually takes six to seven hours, but despite leaving in the morning, he had yet to cross Narsingdi.
Abdul Kader Jilani, in-charge of the Kanchpur Highway Police Outpost, said that due to the holiday rush, traffic pressure is several times higher than usual. Adverse weather has further worsened the situation. Although additional police have been deployed at several points, the traffic load is so heavy that it will take time to bring the situation under control.
Frustrated travelers noted that what was meant to be a joyous holiday journey has turned into a struggle of unbearable delays.