Sylhet Correspondent :
The city dwellers are regularly witnessing traffic jam at Bandar Bazaar, Zindabazar, Surma Point, Railgate and at the station road areas ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
Sylhet Metropolitan Traffic Police sources said movement of thousands of battery-operated auto-rickshaws has deteriorated the traffic situation in Sylhet though the situation is still far better than any other cities of the country.
According to a private survey, there are nearly than 10,000 battery operated auto-rickshaws, 20,000 rickshaws, 500 CNG-rickshaws and auto-tempos, 1,500 human-hauler, 1,200 rickshaw vans and 1,500 cars and micro-buses in Sylhet Metropolitan area.
Moin Uddin Monju Public Relation Officer of Sylhet City Corporation, said SCC has so far issued registration and licences to more than 8,000 battery operated auto rickshaws.
‘SCC is committed to make a clean, green city and that is why authority was issuing licences and registration for battery operated auto-rickshaws which are environment friendly and keep the city air free from pollution,’ he added.
Assistant Commissioner of SMP traffic department, said due to ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr, thousands people along with the students are visiting Sylhet city markets daily for the purpose of marketing.
Moreover, hundreds of rickshaws are entering the cities from neighbouring upazilas and districts expecting a quick and satisfactory earning. All these conditions are adding to traffic congestion in the city.
‘We have set up police box beside of the gate of all busy markets and our police officials are aware to people about traffic system all the time’, he added.
Moreover, due to non-trained drivers and rickshaw-pullers, there are frequent traffic jams in the city streets.
However, the traffic jam is apprehended to become unbearable during the next couple of days before the Eid because thousands of people living outside the district would return to celebrate Eid with their family members here.