A nearly 10-kilometre traffic jam developed on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Cumilla from Tuesday morning, slowing traffic on sections between Amtali Bishwaroad and Padua Bazar Bishwaroad. Mainamati Highway Police Station officer-in-charge Ariful Islam confirmed the congestion, saying ongoing road repair work had reduced vehicle speeds and caused the lengthy queue.

Passengers and drivers have faced difficulties as several sections of the highway contain potholes, while damaged carpeting has left large holes in some places. Continuous rain over the past several days has worsened conditions. According to relevant sources, about 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles of different sizes travel daily through Cumilla's roughly 104-kilometre portion of the highway.

Businessman Arafat Islam said he was stuck for about an hour near Kotbari Bishwaroad while travelling from Chattogram to Dhaka, adding that he had faced similar trouble before. Roads and Highways Department sub-divisional engineer Sofiqul Islam Bhuiya said repair work had been underway near Amtali Bishwaroad since morning. Drivers and passengers called for swift completion of repairs, pothole restoration and effective measures to ease congestion.