EID JOURNEY: Finding no room inside the train compartments, holidaymakers sit on the rooftop of a train, determined to reach their native homes and reunite with their near and dear ones for the joyous celebration of Eid-ul-Azha. The photo was taken at the Airport Station in Dhaka on Tuesday. — FE Photo A big chunk of city-dwellers left Dhaka on Tuesday for their native homes across the country to celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha festival with their near and dear ones. However, train-schedule disruptions and rainfall caused some troubles in their Eid journey.
Bus terminals, railway stations and launch terminal in the capital witnessed a rush of holidaymakers on the day, as officials and employees got a five-day (Tue-Sat) holiday in a row on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Azha.
With the Eid of sacrifice set on June 29, a four-day holiday was earlier slated from Wednesday. But the government later issued a circular and declared June 27 a special holiday, extending the vacation by one day.
Advance train tickets were sold for the Eid-ul-Azha from June 14 to June 18, and return tickets from June 22 to June 26.
As a result, the rush of Eid holidaymakers was seen on Tuesday, after offices closed on Monday.
However, many homegoers suffered, as schedule disruptions marred the scheduled journey of some trains.
A good number of passengers were found going to their destinations by standing inside the compartments of different trains. Some alleged that standing tickets were sold manifold than stipulated 25 per cent of the total number of seats.
On the other hand, bus and launch passengers expressed satisfaction regarding their journey for being able to leave Dhaka in a hassle-free way.
However, accidents on the Bangabandhu Bridge, coupled with the breakdown of a vehicle on the highway and disruptions in toll collection, hampered northbound traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway on Tuesday.
Slow movement of traffic was seen on the highway, the gateway to the northern districts from the capital. At Chandra Trimor, vehicles were running slowly on about one kilometre road, according to media reports.
Vehicles were also moving slowly at different important points of other highways, including Chandana Chowrasta, Bhogra Bypass, Boardbazar and Gazipura.
Meanwhile, some homebound passengers alleged that transport workers were charging extra fare.
The FE correspondent, while visiting Kamalapur Railway Station and Sadarghat Launch Terminal in the capital on Tuesday, saw a large number of people leaving the capital on Eid trips.
Since Tuesday morning, travellers were seen flocking to the station in a large number. Passengers gathered at different booths in a disciplined manner to buy standing tickets.
Security at the railway station was satisfactory. Members of the law-enforcement agencies remained alert to ensure smooth and hassle-free journey for the homegoers.
Mijanur Rahman, a private firm employee, expressed his dissatisfaction following disruption in train schedule.
The railway authority failed to ensure hassle-free journey for holidaymakers, he added.
Some other train passengers also expressed anger, as their Eid journey was delayed.
A significant number of homebound people thronged bus terminals like Gabtali, Mohakhali, Fulbaria and Syedabad in Dhaka. They also gathered at ticket counters of SA Paribahan, Hanif, Nabil, Shyamoli, Agomoni, Bablu, Pabna Express, Shohagh, Golden Line, Darshana Deluxe, etc to leave the capital. Eid holidaymakers also rushed to Dhaka River Port Terminal at Sadarghat in the capital on Tuesday to go to their respective destinations for celebrating the Eid-ul-Azha.
Launch and steamer operators said they did not charge any extra fare from passengers. They would also operate sufficient number of launch trips, considering the passengers' interest.
Law-enforcing agency personnel were deployed at the launch terminal to ensure safety and security of the passengers.
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