After celebrating the Eid-ul-Azha festival in their ancestral homes, thousands of holidaymakers have started returning to the capital amid hassles.
A huge number of Dhaka-bound people as well as vehicles have contributed to around four kilometer-long tailbacks on Daulotdia side of Rajbari and Kathalbari side of Shariotpur ferry ghats on Saturday.
Several hundred vehicles, mostly passenger buses and private cars got trapped at Daulotdia ferry ghat on Saturday afternoon causing untold sufferings to the Dhaka-bound people, ghat sources said.
Kathalbari ferry ghat also witnessed similar situation. Many expect that the stream of Dhaka-bound people will be higher from Saturday midnight as office will start today (Sunday) after a long vacation.
Many people were also seen crossing the river Padma by launches, engine trawlers and speed boats.
Masud Mollah, a bus passenger of Golden line, said on Saturday he along with his family members had to wait for about three hours at Daulotdia ferry ghat to catch the ferry for crossing the river. BIWTA sources said a total of 19 ferries and 34 launches are now moving on this naval route.
At the same time, the three inter-district bus terminals in the city — Gabtali, Sayedabad and Mohakhali — Kamalapur railway station and Sadarghat launch terminal also witnessed a huge rush of Dhaka-bound people on Saturday.
With the movement of thousands of people, severe traffic congestion took place in and around each bus terminal and launch terminals and railway stations.
Launch, train and long-route bus operators said the main rush of return journey would begin on Sunday and Monday.As soon as the office breaks on August 10, thousands of home-bound people started moving towards different bus terminals, launch terminal, and railway stations to catch their transport to celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha festival with their near and dear ones in their ancestral village homes.
Scores of homebound travelers have also thronged Kamalapur Railway Station and Sadarghat launch terminals.
It is estimated that 1,000,000 people have left the capital for their homes from Sadarghat.
Officers-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station said tight security measures have been taken at Sadar ghat and its nearby areas to avoid any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, six bus services in Manikganj were fined over charging extra fare from passengers.
The drivers returned Tk32,500 extra fare to around 500 passengers of the Dhaka-bound buses from Paturia.
Shibaloy Executive Magistrate and Upazila Assistant Commissioner (AC Land) Jakir Hossain carried out the drive on Paturia ghat link road Saturday.
He fined the transport services Tk13,000.
Besides, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) AFM Firoz Mahmud fined five truck drivers on charges of carrying passengers.
