Md. Farooque Hossain

As the countdown to Eid-ul-Fitr begins, the country gears up for the journey of people returning to their hometowns to celebrate the largest religious festival with family and loved ones.

This year, with government service holders enjoying an extended holiday and non-governmental organisations likely to follow suit, an unprecedented surge of home-goers is on the horizon, promising both excitement and challenges. Yet, marshalled with foresight and strategic interventions, the Eid journey can morph from a potential odyssey into a seamless experience for all.

Historically, the mass exodus from Dhaka preceding Eid has placed a major strain on the country’s transportation infrastructure, a fact underscored by a survey conducted by BUET Professor Md Hadiuzzaman in 2023. Staggering figures revealed that over 12 million individuals departed Dhaka in the four days leading up to Eid. Strained public transport buckles under the pressure of this spate of travel, resulting in wall-to-wall crowds and untold passenger suffering.

Preparations for the Eid journey kick off well in advance, with securing tickets, which become as precious as gold dust, emerging as the foremost concern for travellers to stay ahead of the curve.

While 100% online advanced ticket sales for intercity trains – contrary to the previous 50% –  has been a welcome relief for those hitting the rails, the status quo surrounding the availability of bus tickets remains up in the air, with operators likely to ramp up sales closer to Eid.

Needless to say, this year, Eid falls under less than ideal circumstances with persistent concerns over soaring food and essentials prices pinching the pockets of many, casting a shadow over the festive cheer. Looking back, ticket sales leading up to Eid have been plagued by chaos, including system glitches, black market activity, forgery and overcharging.

Despite reports of a black-market cartel within the contractor company assigned to manage the ticketing system, allegedly colluding with a section of unscrupulous railway officials, travellers may experience a smoother process this year. Bangladesh Railway’s introduction of a one-time password (OTP) system for ticket purchase marks a significant milestone, with officials hopeful that this technological leap will deter illicit ticket scalping.

While the shift towards online ticket sales has eased fears of black marketing to some extent, concerns linger on regarding equitable access, particularly for those without internet connectivity or digital literacy skills. According to the Population and Housing Census-2022 of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), internet users account for only 31% of the population, highlighting the digital gap that persists in the country.

Even with the government pulling out all the stops to make Eid travel a breeze, some old demons are rearing their ugly heads again, threatening to put a damper on the plans of holidaymakers. For instance, decrepit vehicles and piecemeal repair work on roads may add to traffic woes. Thankfully, recent infrastructure advancements like bridges and flyovers are expected to ease the bottleneck on major highways, giving travellers a much-needed breather. That said, the spectre of gridlock still looms large over known congestion hotspots.

In an effort to address the potential situation, recently a stakeholders’ meeting was convened at the BRTA headquarters, shedding light on the gravity of the situation. Authorities identified 155 potential congestion points across various highways. The highway police, traffic authorities and regulatory bodies are joining forces to keep things moving. These proactive approaches are intended to facilitate uninterrupted passage for travellers during Eid.

Amidst discussions on mitigating traffic bottlenecks, proposals emerge to suspend toll collection at designated points and impose restrictions on the movement of non-essential vehicles in the days leading up to Eid. Furthermore, directives are issued to ensure round-the-clock operations at CNG stations and to curb the proliferation of three-wheelers on major thoroughfares.

 Moreover, the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, at a press conference, demanded a two-day extension of the public holiday for Eid journeys. Specifically, they requested April 8th and 9th to be designated holidays to alleviate the stress of travel during Eid, mitigate passenger suffering, harassment and ticketing chaos, and potentially reduce road accidents. The demand deserves serious consideration to guarantee a safer and more enjoyable Eid journey for everyone.

While infrastructure improvements and stakeholder collaboration are crucial, truly ensuring a smooth Eid journey hinges on robust enforcement.

The government must clamp down on black marketeering to guarantee easy access to tickets. Reviving BRTA vigilance committees at bus stations, like last year’s effort, can weed out unfit and overloaded buses. Additionally, streamlining the online ticketing process for all modes of vehicles ferrying passengers on the occasion is essential for a hassle-free experience.

To further shave off travel time, road construction should be strategically paused a week before Eid, and traffic police should be deployed strategically at critical highway points. By addressing these systemic challenges, bolstering infrastructure, and cultivating collaboration, we can transform the Eid-ul-Fitr journey from a potential hassle into a harmonious and hassle-free experience, one that truly reaffirms the spirit of unity and celebration that defines this auspicious occasion.
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The writer is an IT professional at Thakral Information Systems. Email: [email protected]