The post-Eid return rush to Dhaka was yet to peak yesterday, with passenger flow remaining manageable at the capital’s key entry points despite government offices and many private offices set to resume today. A moderate crowd of returnees was seen arriving by bus, train and launch at major entry points, particularly in Jatrabari, Kamalapur, Gabtoli and Sayedabad. This year, government and numerous private-sector employees enjoyed a seven-day holiday from May 25 to 31.
Police and transport officials expect heavier traffic in the coming days once garment workers begin returning to the capital. Several returnees shared their experiences with The Daily Star, mostly reporting smooth journeys. Passengers who spoke to this newspaper also said bus fares were normal. Golam Mortuza, an employee of a private firm, returned from Thakurgaon by bus in around six hours, compared with over 13 hours for his trip out of Dhaka a week ago.
He said most AC buses bound for northern districts had almost doubled their fares before the holiday, but the rates were normal yesterday. Ahmed Forkan, a government employee returning from Cumilla, said he reached Dhaka by bus without any hassle. Another Cumilla returnee, Maksuda Akter, said her only delay was at the toll plazas. Al Amin, an employee of a Gulshan-based financial institution, started his journey from Bagerhat’s Sarankhola at 1:30pm yesterday.
Although his trip was mostly smooth, he faced a 30-minute tailback at the Hasnabad entry point in Keraniganj around 7:00pm. Meanwhile, Srabonti Saha, returning from Satkhira, complained that her trip was delayed by an hour as her bus kept stopping to pick up passengers along the highway. At Kamalapur Railway Station, passenger influx remained manageable throughout the day, though some reported schedule delays. Nurun Nahar, a Tejgaon College student who arrived from Rajshahi at 4:00pm, said, “When I left Dhaka last week, the train was excessively crowded.
But the crowd was fairly normal on the return journey.” Inside the capital, traffic volume is gradually increasing, though the number of local public transport vehicles remained low as most city buses had left Dhaka carrying passengers to other districts during the outgoing rush. More private vehicles were seen on the streets yesterday alongside the available public transport.
However, no severe congestion or long queues were observed. Officials believe traffic pressure will remain relatively light over the next few days.