Staff Reporter :
Passengers travelling by the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway have been relieved of the long sufferings with the opening of the two-lane Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumoti bridges last month. Not only that, work hours are being saved to inject country’s economy.
“Now it is possible to reach Dhaka from Cumilla in two hours after inauguration of the 2nd
Meghna-Ghumoti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. There is no traffic gridlock, no bustle on the road. As a result, journey is now free from the gridlock” Yousuf Khan, Manager of Asia Line Transport of Dhaka-Cumilla route told The New Nation on Thursday.
“It takes only 45 minutes to go to Cumilla from Daudkandi Meghna Guomti Bridge. Really it was unbelievable to think to travel within so short time when it took minimum eight to ten hours. We take only Tk.200 as fare for 97 kilometers distance. Now passengers feel comfort” he added.
Earlier on March 16, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Second Kanchpur Bridge on the Shitalakkhya River.
She also inaugurated the second Meghna Bridge and the second Gumoti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway on March 25 through videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence.
As a result, thousands of passengers and vehicles got relieved of terrible gridlock and saved thousands of work hours after inaugurating these three bridges.
Before inauguration of these three bridges, it used to take 2-3 hours to receive toll at Meghna and Daudkandi bridges toll plaza respectively.
“Situation on the highway is better than before and the authority should take necessary steps to cope with the increased pressure two or three days ahead of Eid” Kabir Hossain, driver of Royal Coach transports said this correspondent on Thursday.
The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, the only connected link with Chattogram, the second largest city in the country.
In last several years, thousand of vehicles were seen waiting at Cumilla part of the Ghmoti Bridge and Munshiginj part of the Meghna Bridge. Export-import consignments did not reach in time and the raw materials were destroyed due to the gridlock.
“It is astonishing to think that hours after hours we had to wait at those bridges” said Amir Hamza, driver of Prime Paribahan.
“We are very happy to reach Dhaka from Cumilla in an hour and 45 minutes” Khorshed Alamgir, a government officer of Sonali Bank, Head Office told The New Nation on Thursday.
Meanwhile, due to the long vacation, Eid passenger’s trips are likely to be a little comfortable this year. Besides, most highways are in better condition with the new bridges and flyovers to traffic.
Besides, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has set up a “vigilance team” at the Gabtoli terminal to ensure hassle-free Eid journey for home-goers.
The transport ministry also set up a monitoring room at BRTA headquarters in the capital’s Banani to take necessary steps in case any problems arise on the roads.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said that this year, there will be no public suffering as the roads are in good condition.
“If there any problem, that will be tackle” he added.
Minister requested the owners and drivers of motor vehicles to obey the traffic rules for a smooth Eid journey.
Passengers travelling by the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway have been relieved of the long sufferings with the opening of the two-lane Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumoti bridges last month. Not only that, work hours are being saved to inject country’s economy.
“Now it is possible to reach Dhaka from Cumilla in two hours after inauguration of the 2nd
Meghna-Ghumoti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. There is no traffic gridlock, no bustle on the road. As a result, journey is now free from the gridlock” Yousuf Khan, Manager of Asia Line Transport of Dhaka-Cumilla route told The New Nation on Thursday.
“It takes only 45 minutes to go to Cumilla from Daudkandi Meghna Guomti Bridge. Really it was unbelievable to think to travel within so short time when it took minimum eight to ten hours. We take only Tk.200 as fare for 97 kilometers distance. Now passengers feel comfort” he added.
Earlier on March 16, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Second Kanchpur Bridge on the Shitalakkhya River.
She also inaugurated the second Meghna Bridge and the second Gumoti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway on March 25 through videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence.
As a result, thousands of passengers and vehicles got relieved of terrible gridlock and saved thousands of work hours after inaugurating these three bridges.
Before inauguration of these three bridges, it used to take 2-3 hours to receive toll at Meghna and Daudkandi bridges toll plaza respectively.
“Situation on the highway is better than before and the authority should take necessary steps to cope with the increased pressure two or three days ahead of Eid” Kabir Hossain, driver of Royal Coach transports said this correspondent on Thursday.
The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, the only connected link with Chattogram, the second largest city in the country.
In last several years, thousand of vehicles were seen waiting at Cumilla part of the Ghmoti Bridge and Munshiginj part of the Meghna Bridge. Export-import consignments did not reach in time and the raw materials were destroyed due to the gridlock.
“It is astonishing to think that hours after hours we had to wait at those bridges” said Amir Hamza, driver of Prime Paribahan.
“We are very happy to reach Dhaka from Cumilla in an hour and 45 minutes” Khorshed Alamgir, a government officer of Sonali Bank, Head Office told The New Nation on Thursday.
Meanwhile, due to the long vacation, Eid passenger’s trips are likely to be a little comfortable this year. Besides, most highways are in better condition with the new bridges and flyovers to traffic.
Besides, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has set up a “vigilance team” at the Gabtoli terminal to ensure hassle-free Eid journey for home-goers.
The transport ministry also set up a monitoring room at BRTA headquarters in the capital’s Banani to take necessary steps in case any problems arise on the roads.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said that this year, there will be no public suffering as the roads are in good condition.
“If there any problem, that will be tackle” he added.
Minister requested the owners and drivers of motor vehicles to obey the traffic rules for a smooth Eid journey.
