Bangladesh’s 2026 Eid travel season, initially smooth, ended with severe disruptions, accidents, and widespread passenger suffering across roads, railways, and waterways. According to the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association, between March 15 and 22, 201 road accidents killed 216 people and injured 421, while seven rail accidents caused 42 deaths and seven waterway incidents left 56 dead. The Road Safety Foundation reported 262 road crashes from March 17 to 24, killing 192. The association also estimated that passengers paid about Tk 148 crore in excess fares during the holiday period.

Government ministers claimed the travel situation remained orderly and that complaints were being addressed, but transport watchdogs and opposition parties accused the administration of negligence and mismanagement. Passenger groups alleged that ministers’ statements favored transport owners, encouraging fare manipulation and reckless driving. Opposition leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh blamed the transport ministries for chaos and fatalities.

Observers noted that poor coordination, fuel shortages, and bad weather worsened conditions compared to the previous year’s interim government period, when stricter oversight had ensured smoother Eid travel.