Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has called on those concerned to keep a close watch so that sacrificial animal markets beside highways do not expand in any way, to avoid traffic jams during the Eid journey.

Quader made the call during a briefing at his residence on Friday (8 July). He also called for trucks and covered vans, except those carrying emergency and export goods, to be kept off the roads for a set period to control traffic jams.

With fewer government holidays this Eid, millions of people are heading home at almost the same time. With the Padma Bridge now open, many people from the south-west of the country have also joined the journey to their villages. In this situation, the minister urged drivers of all vehicles to drive carefully to keep the Eid journey safe and smooth.

Calling on people to value their lives, prioritise their safety and follow the rules on highways, the minister said everyone must stay safe from unwanted accidents.

He said the biggest challenge of this Eid journey was the rising coronavirus infection, so a little carelessness and neglect of health guidelines could bring disaster. Masks must be worn while travelling and during the Eid holidays, and maximum caution must be taken over Covid health guidelines.

He added that a little negligence could cause immeasurable harm to a whole family, so everyone must take maximum precautions, including wearing masks.

Obaidul Quader said traffic jams were forming in some places because vehicles carrying sacrificial animals were moving slowly and breaking down at various points on the way. Quick action was being taken to keep traffic moving.

He also called on the highway police, district police, district administration, transport owners and workers and everyone else to step up their own efforts to make the Eid journey smooth.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.