Holiday-makers returning to city after Eid vacation

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Signing Ceremony of Structured Trade Finance Deal for USD 32.0 million between Midland Power Company Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank in progress. Rezaul Hasanat, Chairman; Feroz Alam, Managing Director and Ahsan Kabir Khan, Director Midland Power Company

FE Report
Bus terminals and railway stations in the city were seen overcrowded Saturday, as thousands of holiday-makers started returning to the capital after enjoying nearly a weeklong Eid vacation.
All the inter-city buses and trains were packed with passengers, who want to join their respective workstations Sunday, the first weekday after the Eid.
Talking to the FE, passengers at Mohakhali bus terminal and Kamlapur railway station said there was no or little hassle on the roads and highways during their return journey to the city.
Ferdous Rahman, who works as a sample man at a garment at Kanchpur, arrived at Mohakhali with his family members at about 3:00 pm after enjoying the five-day vacation, as he went to Tangail on 15 November.
"I faced no problem in getting tickets at the Dhaleswari bus counter, but I paid Tk 10 extra, as there was much crowd," said Ferdous, adding that though his office will open on Monday, he came back Saturday, after hearing the rumour of a strike on that day.
Sumon and Raqibul, students of a private university in the city, arrived at Kamlapur railway station at 3:30 pm after a six-hour journey from Pabna, which was delayed by two hours than the normal time.
"I have an examination tomorrow that's why I am in Dhaka today," said Sumon, an MBA student.
However, the passengers arriving in the city had to face rush outside the terminals and stations, and the CNG-run auto-rickshaws were doing brisk business by realising extra fare from them.
Auto-rickshaw drivers asked Tk 300 fare for Mohakhali to Kanchpur, where the usual fare is Tk 200, and Tk 150 to Paltan against the normal fare of Tk 70.
Talking to the FE, Baset, an auto-rickshaw driver, said he is asking for higher fare, as he has to pay Tk 730 per day to the CNG-owner.
"Besides, I have to spend two to three hours per day for refueling during my driving span from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm," said Baset.
Shahjahan, another driver, said he earns Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,100 daily after six hours of driving, while he has to pay Tk 700 to the owner.
Auto-rickshaw drivers also added that during the Eid festival there are available passengers everywhere, which gives them an opportunity to earn a bit more.