Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday directed the authorities concerned to complete the repair works on highways seven days before Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure the smooth journeys of homebound people.

He came up with the directives at a views-exchange meeting with the officials of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) at the BRTA head office in the city, reports UNB.

The minister ordered the removal of makeshift and floating markets from the metropolitan cities and both sides of the highways.

He also said mobile court drives will be conducted to prevent haphazard parking of vehicles in front of shopping malls in towns to ease the traffic situation.

Quader said all the booths of toll plazas at important bridges, including the Bangabandhu Bridge, Meghna Bridge and Gomoti Bridge, will remain open round the clock during Eid to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles.

Heavy vehicles like trucks, lorries and covered vans will not be allowed to ply the highways from three days before Eid, he said, adding that vehicles carrying essentials, food, garment products, drugs and fuel will be out of the purview of the ban.

Three vigilance teams will be stationed in Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali bus terminals to check realisation of extra fares and overloading, and ease passengers’ sufferings, said the minister.

The minister said Internet Protocol (IP) cameras will be installed at all important entry and exit points of Dhaka.

He also they have urged the authorities concerned to schedule the holidays of garment factories on different dates and keep all CNG stations open for 24 hours for 14 days one week before the Eid.