The residents of Dhaka city started leaving the capital on Friday for their roots to celebrate the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones.
Passengers in their multitudes were seen rushing to Kamalapur railway station, and bus and launch terminals to avoid last-hour hassle and chaos.
Visiting the Kamalapur station, the FE found passengers waiting for their respective trains to go to their destinations.
Many service-holders took leave of Monday and Tuesday (working days) along with three-day Eid holidays to stay for five days in their respective destinations during the festival.
Talking to the FE, a railway official at Kamalapur station said they were maintaining the schedule of different routes trains.
He hoped there would be no problem in maintaining train schedule.
"I'm going to celebrate Eid with my family members. I prefer to travel by train considering safety and security," Md Masudul Alam, a Jamalpur-bound train passenger told the FE.
Visiting bus terminals at Sayedabad, Mohakhali and Gabtoli, the FE found an increased number of passengers were waiting for their buses.
Bus operators said they were also maintaining the bus schedule, adding that they were not realising extra fares from passengers.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka River Port Terminal at Sadarghat also witnessed a considerable number of homeward passengers at the launch terminal.
Launch operators said they would increase the number of launches, if needed, to facilitate hassle-free Eid trips towards the country's southern districts.
They warned of taking action against any launch operator who would be found involved in selling tickets to passengers at a higher rate.
Passengers were seen waiting on board of different launches at the terminal.
A staffer of Pubali-01 launch said their vessels were filled with passengers by 3:00 pm on Friday as they were supposed to leave the terminal in the evening.
"I'm going to my village home with my family members by launch to celebrate Eid," Md Hamid, a Barisal-bound passenger told the FE at Sadarghat on Friday afternoon.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) director (river safety and traffic management) Jainul Abedin says they have taken adequate measures to ensure safety of the homebound passengers.
The BIWTA is allowing not a single launch to operate without fitness survey, according to him.
Mr Abedin further said that they have also directed the owners to operate launches by trained masters and drivers those who have valid licences.
Meanwhile, state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited Sadarghat launch terminal on Friday afternoon.
He told the media that the government was considering connecting metro rail up to the Sadarghat area.
Mr Khalid says discipline has been restored at Sadarghat after commissioning Padma Bridge.
He said new types of pontoons and gangways were set up at Sadarghat to facilitate smooth journey of passengers during the upcoming Eid.
BIWTA chairman Cdre Arif Ahmed Mostofa and Department of Shipping director general Cdre M Maksud Alam, among others, were present.
According to sources, the government has deployed security personnel, including police, at Kamalapur railway station, and bus and launch terminals to ensure safety and security of the homebound passengers.
Meanwhile, the BIWTA has increased the number of ferries and launches with an eye to ensuring smooth movement of passenger vehicles and goods trucks on Paturia and Daulatdia river routes.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com