EID comes and goes with cheerful festivity each year although the homebound or return journey during the vacation never gets hassle-free. After the road safety protest and the subsequent instructions of the government, we do hope the Eid journey would be hassle-free this year. It is our sheer call to the law enforcers and the Roads and Highway Department to work actively and enforce traffic laws strictly thus no fatal accident takes place.
Presently, city’s bus and launch terminals and railway stations are heavily crowded with holidaymakers, while transport operators are struggling with adjusting the pressure. This year’s biggest headache seems to be inadequate ferry service at both terminals. Ferry service on Shimulia-Kathalbari route was partially suspended last week due to low water level in the Padma River. This has created an immense pressure on the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry terminals in Manikganj. Usually, 21 ferries operate on Shimulia-Kathalbari route during Eid holidays but since last week, just 10 small ferries are in service, carrying only small and light vehicles such as private cars and bikes. As the home rush is expected to increase, Eid travellers are likely to face even more ordeal on the road if the authorities fail to control vehicular movement at some key points of the highways. Narrow roads and bridges, unplanned intersections, toll plazas and weight bridges, illegal roadside markets and the authorities’ inability to control so many vehicles are responsible for the situation.
The Police Headquarters at a meeting with leaders of transport owners on Thursday decided to prevent unfit vehicles from plying the roads and control reckless driving. Additional police will be deployed on different highways as well as bus and ferry terminals. Also, a control room will be set up at the Road Transports and Highways Division in Dhaka to ensure smooth traffic. The government has also chalked out a number of measures to maintain discipline on the roads.
We think the decisions are enough but it will need sincerity of all quarters to ease the travelling.
