Tangail: Volunteers are actively working to reduce traffic congestion in Tangail town as part of a unique initiative led by State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku ahead of Eid. The initiative aims to address the significant increase in traffic caused by heightened travel and shopping activities during the festive period.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the volunteer programme was launched under the state minister’s supervision and will run until the eve of Eid. The program’s primary goal is to alleviate the public’s hardships due to severe traffic congestion. Minister Tuku emphasized the need for such public welfare initiatives and expressed intentions to find a permanent solution for the town’s traffic issues.
The volunteers are positioned to manage the flow of shoppers at key markets and intersections, supporting the traffic police. Currently, 16 volunteers are stationed at strategic locations: five at the Old Bus Stand, five at Nirala Mor, five at the Kalibari Bridge and Bindubasini Girls’ School intersection, and one in the College area.
Observations indicate that while congestion remains at several critical points due to large crowds, the volunteers’ efforts have led to improved traffic movement. They are easily identifiable in special yellow T-shirts and use whistles to direct traffic from morning to night. Their uniforms are marked with “Under the overall supervision of State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku.”
Local auto-rickshaw driver Abdur Rahman acknowledged the volunteers’ impact, noting improved discipline among vehicles. However, he also highlighted the persistent issue of increasing rickshaw and auto-rickshaw numbers. Rickshaw driver Ashraf Ali shared that the volunteers’ presence has reduced wait times at intersections, benefiting both drivers and passengers.
Saleh Mohammad Shafi Ethne, Member Secretary of the district volunteer team, reported that the volunteer team will expand from 16 to 30 members after the 22nd of Ramadan to continue the programme through Eid.
Officer-in-Charge of Tangail Sadar Police Station Ruhul Amin commended the collaboration between volunteers and district police, recognizing the initiative as an effective measure to reduce public suffering from traffic congestion.