Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has announced that no cattle markets will be permitted on or beside highways ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Speaking at a press conference at the secretariat in Dhaka on Monday, the minister explained that the decision is essential to ensuring the uninterrupted movement of vehicles and passengers during the holiday period.
He confirmed that 69 mobile courts will be deployed across different locations in the capital to monitor traffic flow and prevent the congestion often associated with large-scale festive travel.
The minister stated that these measures follow specific directives from the Prime Minister aimed at guaranteeing the safety of homebound citizens. Following high-level meetings involving the ministries of railway and shipping, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry has finalised its operational strategy.
Special monitoring arrangements have been established at key hubs, including the Dholaipar bus stand and the Abdullahpur and Gabtoli terminals, to manage the anticipated influx of cattle-carrying trucks alongside passenger transport.
In a move to improve order on the roads, Shaikh Rabiul Alam requested that passengers refrain from boarding or disembarking from buses at random locations. Transport owners have received matching instructions to prevent indiscriminate stops.
To enforce these rules, executive magistrates and intelligence personnel will work alongside highway police to provide a constant presence. The minister warned that immediate action would be taken to resolve any major traffic bottlenecks as they arise.
Safety protocols have also been extended to water transport and ferry crossings. This year, passengers will be prohibited from boarding launches from speedboats or small craft, with boarding restricted to terminals equipped with proper stair arrangements.
Regarding ferries, the minister mandated that passengers must disembark from buses before the vehicles board the vessels. Additional safety measures, including speed controls for buses approaching docks and the installation of barricades at pontoons, are also being implemented.
To further ease the logistical pressure on the nation’s transport network, the government has reached out to the private sector.
The minister noted that garment factory owners have been requested to stagger staff holidays over a three-day period. By phasing the departure of thousands of workers, officials hope to reduce the peak travel demand that traditionally strains the country’s infrastructure during the Eid holidays.
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