The FDC exit ramp of Kabu Expressway was hit by traffic jams on the first day

Dhaka, March 20 (Dhaka Post) - The much-anticipated opening of the FDC exit ramp on the Kabu Expressway witnessed a rocky start today as traffic snarls plagued the vicinity, leaving commuters stranded for hours.

The newly inaugurated stretch, spanning 1.5 kilometers, was opened to the public after 2 pm local time today. However, what began as a smooth flow of traffic soon escalated into chaos after 5 pm, with vehicles backing up from the Hatirjheel-FDC junction all the way to the elevated expressway, effectively bringing traffic to a standstill.

The exit ramp, heralded as a "Prime Minister's Eid gift" by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader during its inauguration earlier today, serves as a crucial access point for commuters traveling to Tejgaon, Hatirjheel, Moghbazar, and Karwan Bazar.

According to reports from the scene, private cars, small trucks, pickups, and mini-buses from various private companies traveling from Airport-Banani via the Dhaka Elevated Expressway are converging onto the FDC junction, exacerbating the congestion.

Efforts to mitigate the gridlock were underway, with Additional Deputy Police Commissioner of Traffic Tejgaon Division, Jahangir Alam, confirming the deployment of officers to manage the situation. However, Alam expressed concern over the lack of immediate measures by elevated authorities to alleviate congestion, warning of continued challenges if corrective actions are not promptly taken.

Authorities have announced plans to commence work on breaking the island and improving traffic flow, with assurances that steps will be taken to address the issue within the next two days.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway, inaugurated last year by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been hailed as a significant infrastructural development aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital. However, today's events underscore the challenges in effectively managing the influx of vehicles and ensuring smooth operations along its corridors.

As the authorities strive to resolve the teething issues, commuters are advised to exercise patience and explore alternative routes where possible.