People returning to Dhaka after Eid

Holidaymakers from different walks of life have begun returning to the capital after celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr festival with their near and dear ones in village homes across the country, causing additional pressure on different modes of transports, especially those plying highways and waterways.
As different government and private sector offices as well as educational institutions are expected to return to usual business on Sunday, city people started returning in full swing on Friday.
Sources at Gabtoli and Mohakhali Bus terminals said most of the buses were returning to Dhaka at their full capacity.
Unlike the pre-pandemic years, the Eid holidaymakers expressed satisfaction over less traffic jam and sufferings this year - thanks to the opening of several flyovers and bridges along the highways.
However, some passengers complained that bus operators were charging higher-than-usual fares from them in the name of Eid bonus.
Ariful Islam, a private sector official - who came from Mymensingh with his family members, said their journey was almost hassle-free, but he had to pay higher fare.
"I've returned on Friday - although my office will begin on Sunday - only to avoid rush on the highway. I think both the numbers of transports and passengers will be much higher on Saturday," he added.
Additional pressure of Dhaka-bound people was seen at Mawa and Aricha ferry terminals.
Sources said vehicles were seen waiting in long queues on Madaripur and Rajbari sides to cross the Padma River.
An official of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said since offices, financial institutions, factories and different business entities in Dhaka have already reopened, homegoers are returning to Dhaka.
Some 20 ferries were operating on Aricha-Doulatdia route to transport vehicles, mostly carrying passengers of 21 south-western districts.
People were seen returning with different modes of transports, like bus, private car, rental car and motorbike.
However, railway passengers enjoyed more comfortable journey, as most of the trains maintained schedule.
It is estimated that around 10 million people left Dhaka for their village homes to observe the Eid-ul-Fitr festival this year.
The four-day Eid holiday was extended to almost ten days following addition of other public holidays.
Meanwhile, a number of people were still leaving Dhaka for various destinations to observe the holiday, as they could not manage leave earlier or for other causes.

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