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locations, each on the Dhaka–Tangail–Rangpur and Dhaka–Chattogram highways; 21 on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway; eight on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway; seven each on the Dhaka–Aricha and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways; and one on the Dhaka–Barishal route.

The risky points include ongoing flyover, overpass and expressway construction sites, damaged road sections, bridge approaches, toll plazas, bus terminals, industrial zones, markets and U-turns.

Areas with heavy movement of garment workers returning home for Eid have also been marked highly vulnerable. Police also warned that temporary cattle markets set up along highways could further intensify congestion.

Highway police reports have recommended accelerating construction work, repairing damaged sections, and deploying additional manpower during the Eid rush.

Field visits by The Daily Star correspondents to Narayanganj, Baipail in Savar, Elenga in Tangail, and Brahmanbaria found the roads to be in very poor conditions where congestions are already persistent at several key points.

In Narayanganj, transport operators and passengers say that congestion along three major highways in the district will further deteriorate ahead of Eid, as repair and renovation work continues on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway and the Asian Highway (Dhaka Bypass).

During visits to Kanchpur, Jatramura, Barab, Rupshi and Bhulta on May 16 and 17, traffic was observed at multiple points. Recent rainfall has created potholes and waterlogging, further damaging road surfaces.

“Almost half an hour has passed, but no bus can reach here because of the congestion,” said commuter Mst Sathi at Tarabo intersection, waiting for a bus to Gulistan. “Without traffic jams, buses used to arrive every five minutes.”

Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Sohel Rana acknowledged that ongoing construction, narrow roads and rain are jointly worsening congestion across all three highways in the district.

On the Dhaka–Ashulia road in Savar, commuters said journeys that once took 45 minutes now require over two hours due to waterlogging, potholes and elevated expressway construction.

A recent visit from Baipail to Ashulia showed slow-moving traffic amid waterlogging and ongoing works, with some sections completed as two lanes and others still under construction.

Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam said the road, previously two lanes, suffered waterlogging due to poor drainage and nearby factories.

He added that expressway pillar construction damaged the surface, and the road is being upgraded to four lanes. According to him, 3.5 km will open before Eid and the remaining 1.5 km by July. He apologised for the inconvenience.

In Tangail, transport operators say the unfinished Elenga flyover near the Jamuna Bridge could become a major bottleneck. Around 20,000 vehicles use the Dhaka–Tangail highway daily, a number expected to multiply several times during Eid travel.

“Although the highway condition is not very bad, the unfinished Elenga flyover may cause congestion again this Eid,” said bus driver Md Shahidul.

In Brahmanbaria, passengers and drivers fear the 12‑km stretch between Ashuganj roundabout and Sarail Bishwaroad on the Dhaka‑Sylhet highway may face serious traffic during the Eid rush and the post‑holiday return to Dhaka. The corridor links six districts with the capital.

They blamed the situation on the slow progress of the Ashuganj‑Akhaura four‑lane project, narrow and dug‑up roads, unfinished work at the Ashuganj and Bishwaroad roundabouts, poor traffic management, roadside parking, and unchecked movement of autorickshaws and easy bikes. Drivers said crossing the stretch often takes three to four hours.

The Tk 5,791 crore Bangladesh‑India‑funded project to upgrade the 51‑km Ashuganj‑Akhaura highway into four lanes began in 2020.

Project Manager Shamim Ahmed said redesigns, funding issues, and workers leaving after the August 5, 2024, political changeover slowed progress. “Overall completion has reached 62 percent, while the contract for the third package was cancelled before work began,” he told The Daily Star.

Highway Police Deputy Inspector General Habibur Rahman Khan said lists of congestion-prone points have already been submitted to the RHD and relevant ministries, which have assured remedial measures ahead of the Eid rush.

He noted that work has already begun in some areas and added that said special measures and additional force deployment have been planned.

Highway Police officials said mobile strike forces, rescue teams and wreckers will be stationed at key toll plazas, bridge approaches and construction zones to ensure traffic flow and uninterrupted movement of cattle-laden trucks and homebound passengers.

Despite these preparations, officials acknowledged severe manpower and resource constraints. The Highway Police has around 3,030 personnel and only 99 patrol vehicles to monitor more than 3,990 kilometres of national highways and 425 kilometres of regional roads -- roughly one vehicle for every 44 kilometres. Seven patrol vehicles are currently out of service.

The force operates through four divisions, eight regions, 10 circles, 73 police stations and nine camps.

Officials said around 990 additional personnel may be deployed on deputation ahead of Eid to manage traffic pressure and maintain law and order. They added that the force ideally requires at least 6,000 personnel and 250 patrol vehicles to effectively manage the national highway network.

[Our correspondents from Narayanganj, Savar, Tangail, and Brahmanbaria have also contributed to this report.]