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Home-goers suffer as schedule disruption becomes norm

Last working day adds to pressure


FE Report | August 21, 2018 00:00:00


Eid holiday makers left the Dhaka City on Monday amid schedule disruptions in trains and buses and tailbacks on major highways, which caused sufferings to them.

Traffic congestions near the bus stands, rail stations and launch terminals were found to abnormally high due to the pressure of passengers on the last working day.

Long queues were reported on the Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Chittagong and all other exit points of the city.

In railway stations and water transport terminals, home goers competed for space on rooftops, risking their lives.

The presence of officials in all private and public offices dwindled even before the lunch break.

Though ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari ghat resumed on Monday, passengers' pressure was substantial on the Paturia-Doulatdia ghat.

Sources said of the highways, Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail have been upgraded to four-lane, but long tailback was visible as well there.

Against these circumstances, the Dhaka city started getting a vacant look with less traffic congestion.

Though both the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and Dhaka-Tangail have been widened, witnesses said, the long tailback was created due to the existence of some narrow points within the highways.

Dhaka-Tangail is yet to get smooth crossings at seven points while Dhaka-Chittagong highway has still two-lane bridges on the Meghna and Meghna Gumti Rivers.

Witnesses said though almost all launch operators tried to maintain time, most of these vessels were found with passengers occupying decks due to space constraints.

At Sadarghat, BIWTA sources said they have taken necessary measures to check the overloading necessary to ensure safe journeys for the home goers.

But some officials admitted that everything could not be managed properly due to the pressure of passengers.

However, the home goers who managed to get space expressed their happiness as it would allow them to celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones.

Railway people said due to the pressure of passengers, six express trains were behind the schedule.

Dhumketu Express, Sundarban Express, Nil Sagar Express, Rangpur Express and Lalmonirhat Express were among the North Bengal-bound trains facing delay.

Of the total rail schedule, 41 trains left respective stations until 8.0 pm.

The Bangladesh Railway has to maintain 23 more trains until mid night.

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