The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a robust security strategy aimed at ensuring a safe and seamless journey for city residents heading home to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar shared the details during a press briefing at the DMP Media Center on Sunday, highlighting the extensive preparations made to manage the massive exodus from the capital.

Acknowledging that a large number of residents leave the city to celebrate with their loved ones, Sarwar noted that the DMP has implemented heightened security protocols at all major transport hubs, including the four primary bus terminals, launch terminals, and railway stations.

Both uniformed officers and detective personnel will be deployed at these locations to prevent passenger harassment and illegal fare gouging. Furthermore, police control rooms and watchtowers will be established at these transit points to monitor the situation in real-time.

With the support of the Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the DMP has installed approximately 100 CCTV cameras at three bus terminals to enhance surveillance.

To maintain traffic discipline, the DMP has assigned roughly 600 additional personnel to supplement regular traffic police efforts.

Regular mobile courts are already in operation, and nine more—supervised by judicial and executive magistrates—will be deployed at terminals to curb ticket black-marketing and overcharging.

To mitigate congestion during the peak travel window, trucks, covered vans, and lorries will be restricted from operating on highways from March 17 to March 23.

However, vehicles transporting essential goods, such as medicines, food, fuel, fertilizers, and perishable or export products, will be exempted from this restriction.

The Commissioner requested that commuters avoid several high-traffic routes within the city starting March 16, unless travel is urgent.

These restricted routes include the Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Keraniganj, and Dhaka-Mawa highways, as well as the roads from Mohammadpur Basila to Basila Bridge, Abdullahpur to Dhour Bridge and Fulbaria to Sadarghat.

Coordination meetings have been held with transport owners and workers to ensure the enforcement of these directives. Providing safety advice for the public, the Acting Commissioner urged travelers to remain vigilant.

“Do not take unnecessary risks, avoid accepting food from strangers and keep cash and valuables under personal supervision,” he advised.

He also warned against illegal motor racing in the quieter city streets during the holidays, confirming that mobile courts will be active on the Purbachal Expressway, Banani-Abdullahpur Road, and in the Gulshan area to enforce speed limits and prevent dangerous driving.

Finally, residents were encouraged to secure their homes before departing by keeping CCTV systems active, ensuring adequate exterior lighting, and keeping contact information for the nearest police station or the 999 national emergency service handy.

The briefing was attended by several high-ranking DMP officials, including Additional Commissioners SN Md. Nazrul Islam, Md. Shafiqul Islam, and Md. Masud Karim, along with Joint Commissioner Mohammad Shahidullah.