Dhaka still in holiday mood

The capital, Dhaka, on Wednesday was still in a holiday mood even after the end of the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation on Monday.
All the government and private offices, banks and financial institutions reopened on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) after seven days of Eid holiday.
But despite the reopening of the offices, the common "scurry and scramble" picture of the capital including bustling crowd and their constant motion and honking of vehicles was yet to be seen on Wednesday.
A kind of silence was noticed during visit to different areas in the capital including main roads, lanes and streets.
The number of public transports including CNG-run autorickshaws, three-wheeled battery-run and pedal-backed rickshaws, private cars and microbuses was comparatively low compared with normal days.
As most of the city roads were less trafficked, many vehicles were seen moving fast, with traffic police personnel discharging duties amid little pressure.
Earlier large crowds of city-dwellers had left the capital Dhaka for their native homes in different districts to celebrate the Eid and many of them are yet to return after the celebration of the festival.
Many city-dwellers are still staying at their village homes by taking additional leave with seven days' Eid holiday along with public holiday on March 26 (Thursday) for Independence Day and weekends on Friday and Saturday ( March 27 and 28).
So the capital Dhaka will not get back its normal or usual face until March 30, 2026.
Drivers of CNG-run auto-rickshaws, battery-run and pedal -backed rickshaws were seen waiting for passengers at several intersections in the city.
They demanded fares that were low compared to those during normal days.
"I could not give sufficient time to my family members due to huge work pressure during the month of Ramadan. As the capital Dhaka is now free from traffic jams so I could move freely from one place to another," Md Kabir Hossain, a salesperson of a shop at Baitul Mukarram Market, told the FE on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the prevailing crisis of fuel oil caused some problems as motorists had to wait for a long time to refuel their vehicles on Wednesday, depriving them of the chance to move in the city as per will.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com