The capital city has started getting back to life with regular pulsation with the return of many of the holidaymakers and resumption of office and business activities in a greater way Sunday.
Although government and semi-government offices, banks, financial institutions and other private businesses reopened Wednesday after two religious festivals--Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja--their activities did not get back dynamism for thin attendances.
Many of the city-dwellers who had gone to their roots to celebrate the twin festivals took advantage of extra leave and weekly holidays.
Although the number of vehicles increased on the city roads, the bustling metropolis was yet to get back its usual busy looks: nagging traffic jam, crowded roads and footpaths, shouting of hawkers all around.
There were moderate movements of traffic on city roads with limited number of police controlling traffic at major crossings.
The travel in and around the city was still pleasant as there was no traffic jam, many a commuter said.
People started swarming back to their homes in the city since Friday in large numbers as most of the private offices and factories opened that day after the break.
Many of the in-bound people got stuck-up either on highways or at bus terminals and stations, waiting for desired transport to reach the city.
The launch and bus terminals and train stations are overcrowded with people arriving in the capital after passing a long vacation at up-country homes.
Most of the markets and shopping malls opened but many shops were found still closed with few visitors buying things.
A random visit to various government and private offices revealed the attendance of officials and staffs as high, with few exceptions. But they passed a rather relaxed day as the number of visitors or clients was less.
A high official of the National Housing Authority (NHA) told the FE the attendance was "almost normal, bar some officials who had taken leave earlier remaining absent. He admitted the visitors were relatively low.
Another official at the housing ministry told the FE the attendance was more than 95 per cent with the minister and the secretary and most high officials present.
"There were many visitors and I passed a quite busy day," he claimed.
But Zahedul Matin, manager (operation) of Dhaka Bank at the Gulshan Circle 2 branch, said their business doubled this Sunday compared to the last two working days last week.
He also said full team of the branch was present to serve the customers, although there was no rush.
"Many offices run by foreigner in Gulshan remain closed Sunday for which we did not have that much pressure in this area," Mr Matin said.
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