CHATTOGRAM, June 14: The port city is fast lying vacant as hundreds of thousands of dwellers are going to their roots to enjoy Eid with their families back home.
However, homeward people in their multitudes are suffering a lot as advance Eid tickets for buses, trains and other vehicles are already sold out.
On Friday, many were seen waiting in queues at Chattogram Rail Station for tickets. But the rail authorities could not afford to give them any ticket.
Sources said the Bangladesh Railway has arranged special trains and extra bogies in every train for home-bound passengers here.
Although Eid holidays will begin tomorrow (Sunday), weekly holidays of Friday and Saturday have been added to the festival holidays.
As a result, many of the people left for their village homes from Thursday night amid this crisis of tickets for trains and busses.
The FE found families leaving the port city by microbuses, minibuses and rented cars from Friday. Many are arranging alternative modes of transport now.
People, particularly day-labourers and the poor segments, are leaving the city getting on board trucks and covered vans from Chattogram.
Meanwhile, Chittagong Port, the prime seaport of the country, will continue its operations under special arrangements during Eid holidays.
However, all government offices, commercial banks and other financial institutions remain closed for the celebration of Eid-ul-Azha, a feast of sacrifice by economically solvent Muslims.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) secretary Omar Faruk said, "Chittagong port will remain open during Eid holidays. However, its operational activities will remain closed from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Eid day. Otherwise, the port will stay operative."
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