Traffic congestion has taken an alarming turn in most of the busy roads and points of the district town in the month of Ramadan, causing untold sufferings to the people.

Haphazard parking of rickshaws by the side of the markets, shopping centres and key installations are narrowing down the space for vehicles on the roads, hampering smooth traffic, town dwellers alleged.

Besides, the increasing number to battery-run auto-rickshaws plying different roads has added to the situation, they said.

An official of the municipality said they had provided licence to about 12,000 rickshaws and around 7,000 battery-run three-wheelers.

These three-wheeler drivers and the rickshaw pullers, most of whom are illiterate, do not go by the traffic rules, he said.

Sources said that most of the roads especially al busy points of the town are narrow and during the rush hours on special occasions like Eid and other religious festivals, they cannot accommodate the increased number of vehicles.

The important and busy points of the town that have been facing severe traffic congestion are Monihar Cinema and Doratana Square, Chowrasta, Hospital Road, Khajura Bus stand, Paulbari crossing, Chanchra crossing, Central Bus Terminal, Muroli Square, Civil court intersection, Rail station intersection and Dharmotola intersection.

When asked, Police Inspector (traffic) Mohammad Moslem Uddin said they have taken extra measures to ease traffic jam in the town during the current month of Ramadan.

Besides, a special drive is going on in the town to identify and seize the illegal and unfit vehicles, he added.