Eid holiday over as holidaymakers flock transport hubs

City-dwellers returning to Dhaka and nearby industrial hubs, including Gazipur and Savar, caused heavy congestion at major transport terminals on Friday, as the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays ended.

Crowds were reported at Kamalapur Railway Station; Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Gabtoli bus terminals; as well as Sadarghat launch terminal.

Overcrowded trains, with passengers standing in the aisles and near the doors, were arriving while buses were fully occupied. Fewer travelers were heading outside of the capital.

Passengers noted that the rush erupted as garment and industrial factories reopened on Saturday and Sunday.

A number of waterway passengers complained on social media about launches carrying passengers over their capacity from Bhola and Barishal terminals.

Tanvirul Islam, a madrasa student returning from Patuakhali, said, “I came to Dhaka with my friends because classes start on Saturday. Tickets sold out well before the journey, and there were long queues at the counters.”

Ariyan Rakib, an employee of a Gazipur factory, returned from Satkhira to attend work on Sunday and said, “With family members, travel is difficult. I came a day early to secure a bus ticket and avoid missing the first day at the office.”

Jahirul Islam, a garment worker, added, “Our factory reopens on Saturday, so I returned with my family. Most of my fellow workers were on the same train.”

Despite the journey hassles, passengers expressed relief after celebrating Eid with their families and returning safely to Dhaka.

The government declared Eid holidays from 17 March to 23 March. Government and autonomous offices reopened on 24 and 25 March, and 26 March was observed as Independence and National Day, extending the holiday period for many travelers.

Transport operators warned that heavy passenger flow toward the capital is likely to continue until Saturday.