Ctg port stays open as city empties for Eid

CHATTOGRAM, Apr 08: Public institutions, banks and other financial institutions will all be closed during the Eid holidays, except for the country's prime seaport Chittagong port, which will continue to operate under special arrangements.
This year, people are set to enjoy a week-long holiday due to Eid and the Bengali New Year Pahela Baishakh.
"The Chittagong port will remain open during the Eid holidays. However, operational activities will remain closed from 8 am to 4 pm on Eid day only," said Omar Faruk, secretary of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
Meanwhile, the port city of Chattogram was emptying as many residents on Monday headed to their ancestral villages to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.
Travellers were facing difficulties securing tickets as advance bookings for buses, trains and other vehicles have already sold out. Many people were queuing at Chattogram Railway Station for tickets, but the rail authorities could not issue them as they had already been sold.
Homebound passengers alleged that the process of buying train tickets using national identity (NID) cards is a difficult one.
The Bangladesh Railway authorities arranged special trains and added extra carriages to existing ones to accommodate the expected surge in passengers. However, these tickets have already been sold out in the past few days.
Despite the shortage of tickets for trains and buses, many people have already left for their villages to celebrate Eid. This exodus began on the day of Laylat-ul-Qadr, even though the Eid holidays officially start on Wednesday.
Many people were departing their city residences on Monday by microbus, minibus, truck or rented car. This came as alternative transport options were being sought due to the lack of bus and train tickets.
People were leaving the city, with some even boarding trucks and covered vans from Chattogram.
Sources at the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) said they have taken up tight security measures at all Eid shopping malls in the port city.
The CMP and RAB-7 have stepped up surveillance. The special security measures put in place on the eve of Eid will remain in effect until the Bengali New Year. CMP Commissioner Krishna Pada Roy ordered all senior police officers in all 14 police stations to remain at their posts during the holidays.
"We are working to ensure foolproof security before and after Eid and Pahela Baishakh," said the CMP Commissioner.

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