Traffic normalises on Sirajganj hwy after 28-hour gridlock

Traffic movement on Sirajganj highway and the Jamuna Bridge corridor returned to normal on Saturday after nearly 28 hours of severe congestion and slow movement caused by post-Eid travel stress and multiple vehicle breakdowns.

The situation began early Friday around 3:00 AM, when a surge of vehicles heading toward Dhaka created heavy pressure on the western approach of the Jamuna Bridge in Sirajganj.

Traffic jam quickly spread from Soydabad and Koddar Mor to surrounding areas, stretching from the bridge’s west toll plaza to Soydabad Railway Station.

According to authorities, a traffic accident on the eastern side of the bridge in Tangail further disrupted movement, while several vehicles breaking down on the bridge and highway worsened the situation. To ease congestion, all four lanes of the Jamuna Bridge were temporarily opened for Dhaka-bound traffic.

Commuters expressed frustration over the long delays.

After gridlock, the situation began improving from around 8:30 AM on Saturday and traffic gradually returned to normal.

Jamuna Bridge West Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Amirul Islam confirmed the information and said that the highway was “completely normal”, with no congestion or slow movement.

Jamuna Bridge site office executive engineer Syed Riaz Uddin said the congestion was primarily caused by heavy traffic volume and multiple vehicle breakdowns.

“From around 8:00 AM, the situation started improving and traffic flow is now normal,” he added.

AM