NABINAGAR, BRAHMANBARIA, Apr 24: Severe traffic congestion at Nabinagar Upazila headquarters market has brought daily life to a standstill, with residents blaming illegal road and footpath occupation for worsening the situation.
Locals say that unplanned roadside businesses, encroachment on footpaths, and illegal structures have turned traffic congestion into a daily ordeal in the town. The situation, they add, has been worsening steadily, leaving commuters and pedestrians in constant distress.
A visit to the area found long traffic jams at key points of the municipal market from morning until night. Vehicles remain stuck for hours, causing serious inconvenience to passengers, pedestrians, and working people alike.
Residents' main complaint is that numerous makeshift shops and illegal structures have occupied footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the main roads, increasing the risk of accidents. With parts of the roads also encroached upon, vehicular movement has become severely restricted.
Talking to rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers and commuters, it was found that congestion has intensified across busy roads, market areas and intersections. Even short distances now take hours to cover, leading to loss of valuable working time. Students and critically ill patients are among those worst affected.
One pedestrian expressed frustration, saying: "One group of traders has occupied footpaths and even parts of the road. Where are we supposed to walk? Every day we have to struggle just to move through the town."
Business owners, passengers and pedestrians alike have called for urgent intervention to resolve the situation.
Local residents demand immediate eviction of illegal occupants and restoration of discipline in road management. They believe regular drives, strict traffic control and increased public awareness are necessary for a sustainable solution.
However, there are allegations that eviction drives have not been conducted regularly for a long time, allowing illegal occupation and traffic congestion to worsen continuously.
Nabinagar Municipality Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmudul Hasan said that the upazila administration and municipality are jointly working to evict illegal structures and reduce traffic congestion.
"We are working towards a permanent solution so that Nabinagar can be freed from traffic congestion and illegal occupation. The people will soon see results," he said.
Brahmanbaria-5 (Nabinagar) MP and Upazila BNP President Advocate Abdul Mannan said efforts are underway to address both illegal occupation and traffic congestion through a structured plan.
"We are moving forward with a proper plan for a permanent solution. I believe the people will soon see its benefits," he said.
