Let Safe Eid Journey in a Smart Way

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, where Eid means the pulse of millions of people with their roots.

But every year this joyful journey turns into sadness in terrible accidents on roads, railways and waterways.

Statistics show that the accident rate increases several times more than normal in the days after and before Eid.

To overcome this ever-present chaos in the modern Bangladesh of 2026, the effective implementation of the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ vision is essential.

With the combination of technology, the roadmap for a safe and harassment-free Eid journey is now not just a luxury, but a fundamental right of the people.

Every year, countless lives are lost on the way home in the throes of Eid, which turns joy into sorrow.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, it is the demand of the hour to ensure a safe and smart transportation system by integrating technology with the country’s existing infrastructure.

Below is a smart guideline in the context of Bangladesh:
It is necessary to ensure a 100% digital ticket booking system to end the suffering of buying tickets while standing in traditional lines and to stop black marketing. There will be a central ‘Unified Ticketing Platform’ for all public and private transport.

If ticket purchase is made mandatory through national identity card verification, one person will not be able to stock up on multiple tickets, which will ensure that ordinary passengers get tickets at a fair price.

The use of ‘smart cards’ or mobile financial services should be made mandatory for paying for bus, train and launch fares.

In this, there will be no scope for additional fare collection by conductors or counters.

Passengers will be able to make payments directly by scanning the QR code, which will ensure transparency of transactions and reduce fare anarchy.

An ‘online queue management’ system can be introduced to avoid crowding at terminals.

Passengers will be notified at a specific time through the app when to enter the terminal and when to board the bus.

This will reduce the chaos at the bus terminal and passengers will be able to start their journey comfortably as per the specified time.

Digital road signs and public Wi-Fi zones will make it easier for passengers to exchange information.

Round-the-clock surveillance of CCTV cameras for passenger security will free the common people from the hands of pickpockets or unwitting parties.

Reckless speeding is one of the main causes of accidents. Smart speed detectors and sensors should be installed at important points on the highway.

If a vehicle violates the prescribed speed limit, its number plate will be automatically scanned and an e-challan or fine will be sent to the owner’s mobile. This will force drivers to follow the rules.

Artificial intelligence or AI-based signal systems need to be introduced at the entry and exit roads of Dhaka.

This system will automatically change the signal timing by understanding the traffic density.

This will reduce the pressure on the manual traffic police and the flow of vehicles will remain uninterrupted.

In areas of the highway where traffic jams are more prevalent, round-the-clock surveillance should be carried out using drones.

By looking at the images received from the drone, it will be possible to take quick action from the control room and if a vehicle is moving in the opposite direction, it will be easy to identify them.

An e-challan system should be implemented for immediate fines for those who violate the road rules.

Unfit or unlicensed vehicles will be identified through automated number plate recognition cameras, which will prevent unfit vehicles from entering the road and reduce accidents.

A ‘smart ferry booking’ system is essential for river passengers. By ensuring ferry crossing according to the serial number instead of sitting for hours at the pier, chaos at the pier will be eliminated.

It is possible to give priority to especially sick passengers and vehicles carrying emergency goods.

To reduce pressure inside Dhaka before and after Eid, the timings of Metrorail and BRT services should be extended and the number of trips should be increased.

This will allow passengers to quickly reach the periphery or out-of-town stations when leaving the city.

Overloaded trucks often cause accidents. Automated weight measuring devices on the highway can easily stop overloaded vehicles.

On the other hand, a ‘smart ferry booking’ system needs to be implemented to avoid long waits at the ferry pier.

If vehicles carrying excess weight are automatically stopped, both the life and safety of the road will increase.

If slots are booked online in advance, no vehicle will have to sit at the pier, which will make the Eid journey enjoyable.

Many people travel through ride-sharing apps during Eid.

The apps should have an ‘Emergency SOS’ button and digital passenger protection insurance.

Driver information and journey routes should always be stored on a central server, so that the police can take quick action in case of any danger.

If there are free public Wi-Fi zones at major terminals and bus stops, passengers can easily get traffic updates.

In addition, in addition to the ‘999’ or national helpline, there should be a dedicated ‘Smart Helpline’ app for Eid journeys, which will be directly linked to the Highway Police.

Bus parking everywhere along the highway is the main cause of traffic congestion.

Through the smart parking management app, drivers will be able to know where to stop and rest.

Strict action will be taken if cars are stopped outside the designated parking zone, so that the highway will be clear.

It is necessary to keep the ‘Virtual Queue’ or online telemedicine support app connected for passengers who suddenly fall ill on the journey.

If the location of roadside pharmacies or clinics is on the map, it will be easier to get quick first aid in an emergency.

To build a smart Bangladesh, it is not only necessary to bring technology, but also to increase awareness among drivers and ordinary passengers.

With the government’s digital initiatives and the cooperation of the public, the 2026 Eid journey can be the safest and most trouble-free in history.

When technology provides safety to human life, it becomes ‘smart’ in the true sense.

Eid means joy, Eid means closeness to loved ones. If we can digitalize the 2026 Eid journey through the proper use of technology, then tears will be wiped off the roads and smiles will return.

With the combined efforts of the government, transport owners and passengers, it is possible to implement the smart Eid journey of smart Bangladesh.

An accident destroys not only a family, but also a dream. So, let’s build a safe and beautiful future with the help of technology.

(The author: Essayist, Writer and President of the International Anti-Drug Organization – Freedom International Anti-Alcohol. E-Mail Address: [email protected])