Sufferings of home-bound passengers

The majority of those who celebrate the Eid with their near and dear ones outside Dhaka, have already left the city and the rest are also finalising their preparations for the same. As a result, we see a huge traffic gridlock at various key points of Dhaka city. All TV channels show big crowd everywhere at bus, train and launch terminals. Despite enormous sufferings, people are happy that they would be able to join their near and dear ones and celebrate Eid. An air of festivity is already seen in many parts of the country.  

The city, on the other hand, has already worn a deserted look. People are leaving by bus, train, plane and launch. The vehicles are overcrowded with passengers and what seems ominous is that no one is caring for the safety rules. As a result, we often read about news of road and waterway accidents due to rash driving with overloaded passengers. Prices of tickets go up during this time and some crooked gangsters mint money taking advantage of the situation.

But what bothers sensible people most is the indiscriminate violation of traffic and civic rules by road and water transports. Every year valuable human lives are lost due to accidents that could have been easily avoided had we shown minimum respect for traffic rules and regulations. We should not forget that violation of safety rules out of momentary carelessness can prove to be fatal. Let us be more conscious about safety rules and abide by those accordingly.

Mohammed Sohel hara

Bonosree, Dhaka