Dhaka city was found trying to return to normalcy on Thursday, the second day of a seven-hour curfew relaxation.
But markets, shopping malls and other trading places witnessed a lesser number of customers than that of normal days, a spot visit revealed.
The closure of the metro rail and elevated expressways and shortened four-hour office timing caused traffic congestion in many places, said transport operators.
The number of vehicles increased significantly on Mirpur-Farmgate-Motijheel-Gulistan route and Gulistan-Uttara route while Mirpur-Azimpur route was considerably empty which transport operators' said for closure of all educational institutions across the way.
Many shopping malls in Dhanmondi, Elephant Road and New Market areas were opened on the day.
Jakir Hossain, a kids-item shop owner at Alpana Plaza on Elephant Road, said he opened his shop on Thursday after July 17. There is no customer since the morning.
Shop owners in Dhanmondi 27, Sobhanbagh and Dhanmondi 6/A also echoed the same words of Mr Hossain.
Many shops were found opened in New Market, but the number of customers was low.
Md Lemon Hossain, a cloth merchant at New Market, said people are still concerned about the country's situation for which families are avoiding going out.
He said it would take some more days for return of n0ormalcy in the shopping hubs like New Market.
Traders from Islampur in the older part of the city also claimed a lower number of customers.
Yasin Ali, a women wear trader at Islampur, said it is the high time for traders to get retailers from across the country following the Durga Puja festival of the Hindu community to be celebrated in October.
He said customers are hesitating to come to Dhaka for now. However, kitchen markets witnessed increased numbers of customers on the day.
Supplies of vegetables, spice, potato, fruits and rice to the city markets from different districts increased than before. Fish markets also witnessed the increased numbers of customers.
Golam Rasul Panna, a vegetable trader at Beribadh-Rayerbazar wholesale in the city, said 20 trucks of products entered the area on Thursday early hours which was 8.0-10 on Wednesday.
He said the prices of all vegetables declined by Tk 10 a kg. However, banks witnessed utmost crowds as people thronged for cash withdrawal and other business activities.
Ashraful Islam, a senior official of Midland Bank, said pressure of customers increased more amid the closure of the banks as well as difficulties in the bank booths for four working days.
"It has become tough for us to make all customers satisfied within this short period."
If everything remains normal, the condition would be customary by Sunday next, he expected.
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