Make sure that traffic is not disrupted due to Eid cattle market along highways: Quader
Construction work on new roads will also be halted for a week
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has directed the authorities concerned to make sure that the vehicular traffic is not disrupted during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha due to the makeshift cattle markets to be set up along the highways on the occasion.
Chairing a meeting at the BRTA building in the capital on Thursday to devise plans for safe and hassle-free travel of holidaymakers during Eid-ul-Azha, he also stressed on smooth transportation of sacrificial animals.
As per BRTA data, a total of 217 cattle markets are set up on highways in various districts during Eid.
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In the meeting, a total of 155 potential traffic jam spots across the country were identified. In addition to monitoring these areas before and after Eid, the minister also instructed to step up monitoring at all points of Dhaka and ensure availability of vehicles to facilitate the Eid journey.
The minister also issued a set of directives to ensure a smooth Eid journey and reduce the risks of accidents.
To prevent traffic congestion during Eid, he called for granting leaves to factory workers in phases on the occasion. Special attention should be given to Gazipur and Chandra areas during this period to prevent jam, he said.
In addition, road monitoring should be increased during Eid to prevent the recurrence of accidents, he added.
Regarding the roads that were damaged in Cyclone Remal, he said maintenance of those must be finished at least seven days before Eid-ul-Azha.
Trucks, covered vans and lorries will not be allowed on highways for three days before and three days after Eid. However, vehicles carrying essential perishable food items and goods, garments and medicinal goods, fertilisers and fuels are out of the purview of the restriction.
CNG filling stations will remain open round-the-clock for the seven days before and five days after Eid. They must comply with the "No Helmet No Fuel" directive, he added.
The minister also called upon the bus operators to stop charging extra fares on the occasion of Eid and pay more attention to vehicle fitness.
Further instructions entail prohibiting the transportation of passengers in goods or sacrificial animals-carrying vehicles, prioritising animal-carrying vehicles at toll plazas, and ensuring ambulance services for emergency treatment at public and private hospitals located along roads and highways.
