The Chattogram-bound lane of the Dhaka–Chattogram highway will remain closed for four days from March 22 due to bridge repair work in the Rampur area of Feni. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) also said that vehicles will operate on a single lane for several more days afterward. Passengers and transport stakeholders fear this could cause disruptions during the post-Eid return journey.

However, the road authorities said there is a long holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Traffic pressure typically remains lower after Eid, and heavy transport movement is restricted during this period. That is why the timing is chosen for the repair work.

A public notice issued by the office of the executive engineer of RHD in Feni said repair work on the Rampur Bridge on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway will continue from March 22 to March 30. The Chattogram-bound lane will remain fully closed from March 22 to March 25, while vehicles will operate on a single lane from March 26 to March 30.

The notice also outlined several alternative routes. These include temporary one-way use of both lanes between the U-turn near the RAB camp on the highway and the U-turn after Rampur Bridge, as well as routes via Fatehpur Starline Pump to Salauddin intersection; Truck Road, Zero Point to Lalpol; BSCIC intersection (Gas Company) to Dewanganj intersection; and Mahipal Shaheed Shaheedullah Kaiser Road connecting to Salauddin intersection, Truck Road, Zero Point, and Lalpol.

Locals said most of these alternative routes run through the city area, which is not fully suitable for heavy transport. This could increase traffic pressure inside the town and lead to congestion.

Transport officials noted that this highway is one of the busiest routes in the country, especially before and after Eid, when a large number of people travel to and from their hometowns. Closing the lane during this time may therefore cause some inconvenience.

Suniti Chakma, executive engineer of RHD’s Feni office, said the bridge was damaged during the 2024 floods and requires urgent repair. “Although there may be some temporary pressure due to single-lane movement, there is little risk of major disruption. The post-Eid period is the most suitable time for the work, as traffic volume remains comparatively low for three to four days after Eid, and heavy transport movement is limited. Public holidays also reduce the number of vehicles on the road,” she said.