Traffic on the Dhaka-Vanga Expressway has largely returned to normal. Although vehicle movement resumed last Wednesday, it was only on Saturday morning (July 27) that traffic returned to its previous state.
While long-distance transport on the busy highway has increased, there has also been a noticeable crowd of passengers on local transportation.
Previously, during the quota reform movement, nationwide shutdowns and protest marches had led to restricted vehicle movement on the Dhaka-Vanga Expressway since Wednesday, July 17. Long-distance transport from the southern region to Dhaka was scarcely seen, and the expressway remained virtually vehicle-free for six consecutive days, causing severe difficulties for people with urgent needs.
However, starting from Saturday morning, vehicle movement has returned to its previous state. Various types of vehicles, including transport, are now operating in Dhaka and other parts of the country. At different bus stops in the Shibchar upazila of the expressway, there has been a noticeable crowd of passengers heading towards their destinations. The highway has regained its usual activity.
On the ground in various locations of Shibchar upazila along the expressway, it was observed that from Saturday morning, both long-distance and local buses on the Dhaka-Vanga route are running. There is a crowd of passengers at various bus stands in Shibchar. Passengers arriving from Dhaka are also seen crowding at bus stops.
Passenger Md. Hriday Hasan, heading to Dhaka, told Banglanews, “I haven’t been to Dhaka for a few days. The situation seems quite normal now. Vehicles are running sufficiently, so I’m going to Dhaka. I’ll return in the afternoon after finishing my work.”
Md. Ibrahim, a driver of a bus heading to Dhaka, mentioned, “There is quite a pressure of passengers today. All the seats in the bus are filling up. There are no issues on the road.”
According to sources from the Shibchar Highway Police Station, traffic on the expressway is normal, and long-distance transport is operating smoothly. There is also a crowd of passengers. The highway police are stationed at various points along the expressway.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Shibchar Highway Police Station, Md. Shakil Ahmed, stated, “Our regular patrols on the expressway are ongoing. There is significant traffic of all types of vehicles on the road.”
