Travellers are experiencing a notably smoother journey on the western side of the Jamuna Bridge, particularly along the Sirajganj highway, where now the usual traffic congestion is largely absent.
Unlike previous years, there is no sign of the typical gridlock or rush of passengers. Overcrowded buses and passengers traveling on rooftops have also become less common. The authorities attribute this improvement to infrastructure upgrades, including 11 flyovers and the service roads of the Hatikumrul Interchange, which have helped ease traffic pressure on the northern corridor.
However, alongside public transport, many homebound travelers are still risking their lives by riding in open trucks and pickup vans.
On Wednesday morning, areas such as Kodda Mor on the western end of the bridge saw a sharp increase in vehicle volume as people left Dhaka for northern districts. Still, authorities confirmed that no traffic jams had formed anywhere along the route.
In addition to long-distance buses, there has been a noticeable rise in private cars and motorcycles on the highway. Between 9AM and 12PM, traffic movement remained steady despite the surge in vehicles.
A returning traveler, Sagar Sheikh, said he was able to travel home comfortably for the first time during Eid. In previous years, congestion made such journeys difficult, although he noted that transport fares were higher this time.
