As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, the Dhaka-Ashulia corridor is once again coming under mounting pressure, where festive travel demand is colliding with the ongoing construction of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway. While the project promises long-term congestion relief, in the short term it has narrowed carriageways, reduced road capacity, and heightened the risk of severe gridlock during the holiday rush.
The challenge is largely structural. The Ashulia-Nabinagar stretch serves both as a major passenger gateway and a key industrial artery. During Eid, the Nabinagar-Chandra highway channels thousands of homebound travelers toward at least 17 northern districts. At the same time, trucks carrying export goods from Savar EPZ and surrounding industrial zones depend on the same route throughout the year. The overlap of seasonal passenger surges with uninterrupted freight movement creates predictable congestion peaks.
Construction activity has further constrained traffic flow. Sections of the roadway have been narrowed by concrete barriers, with construction materials stored along the roadside. In such conditions, even minor disruptions - vehicle breakdowns, lane indiscipline, or sudden stoppages - can trigger hours-long tailbacks.
Transport operators report growing unpredictability. A journey from Abdullahpur to Ashulia EPZ that previously took around 90 minutes can now stretch to four hours during peak periods. For drivers and workers paid per trip or on daily wages, such delays translate directly into lost income and mounting frustration.
The economic implications extend beyond commuter inconvenience. Slower movement of export-bound goods risks disrupting delivery schedules, particularly during high-volume seasons. Industrial stakeholders warn that without reinforced traffic management during Eid, supply chains could face temporary bottlenecks, potentially affecting shipment commitments.
Local businesses along the corridor are experiencing mixed impacts. While increased passenger movement during Eid can boost sales, prolonged congestion discourages stops and reduces customer turnover. For transport operators, idling vehicles mean higher fuel consumption and shrinking profit margins.
Road discipline has emerged as another concern. Drivers allege that unauthorized auto-rickshaws and local vehicles continue operating along highway sections, occupying lanes intended for long-haul buses and trucks. The mixing of slow-moving local transport with inter-district buses intensifies bottlenecks, especially where lanes have already been reduced due to construction.
Safety risks are also rising. Portions of the road surface have reportedly deteriorated under construction stress. Combined with heavy holiday traffic, uneven stretches could heighten accident risks unless promptly addressed. Transport leaders are calling for temporary lane management, stricter monitoring of vehicle movement, and visible coordination among relevant agencies.
Savar Highway Police say special Eid measures are being prepared, including increased patrols and coordination with project authorities. However, past experience makes many commuters cautious, as holiday traffic volumes often exceed enforcement capacity.
