Dhaka wears deserted look amid Eid-ul-Azha holiday exodus

Dhaka has become noticeably quieter as millions of residents left the capital to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their families in their hometowns, easing the city’s usual traffic congestion and busy routine.

The seven-day government holiday for Eid-ul-Azha began on 25 May and will continue until 31 May. Offices remained open on Saturday (23 May) as part of adjustments for the extended break. Regular activities at offices, courts and banks are scheduled to resume on 1 June.

On the second day of the holiday on Tuesday (26 May), several areas of the capital, including Mirpur, Banani and Khilkhet, appeared unusually calm. Roads that are normally packed with vehicles and severe traffic jams were largely free of congestion.

The number of public buses on the roads also dropped significantly, with many buses waiting long periods for passengers and operating with empty seats.

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Tawfiq, a helper of an Achim Paribahan bus operating on the Gabtoli-Banasree route, said buses are usually overcrowded in the morning, but passenger numbers have fallen sharply since the Eid holidays began.

Traffic police officers stationed at key intersections were also seen working with relative ease due to the reduced pressure on the roads.