Eid holidaymakers have started leaving Dhaka on Thursday (May 30) with the rush expected to pick up on Friday (May 31).
The official holidays begin from Tuesday (Jun 4) but many, especially private and government job holders, have chosen to travel a bit early by taking leave on Monday (Jun 3) to avoid the mad rush just ahead of the festival.
Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, is expected to be celebrated either on Jun 5 or 6 depending on moon sighting.
The capital’s Sadarghat launch terminal, Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali bus terminals and Kamalapur railway station saw a huge rush from Thursday afternoon.
According to of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), at least 5 million people are expected to leave the capital for the holidays.
“Though there’s no statistic or actual figure, we assume around 50-60 lakh (5- 6 million) holidaymakers are likely to leave the city for their village homes,” DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman told UNB.
Citing highway police officials, the news agency said travellers will suffer less on the national highways this year if the weather remains favourable as they will get three holidays before the Eid. Similarly, they expected hassle-free journeys on rail and river routes.
Eid travellers are likely to face very thin gridlock on the highways to Chattogram and Sylhet as the three newly constructed bridges — Kanchpur, Meghna-2 and Gumti 2nd— were opened to traffic just a few days ago, it said.
However, the northern region and Khulna-bound passengers may experience tailbacks due to sudden rush of holidaymakers, the UNB report says.
Meanwhile, the government, BRTA, BIWTA and the law enforcement agencies have already taken all-out preparation to ensure a hassle-free and safe journey for home-goers.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is operating a central control room in Dhaka, round-the-clock from Thursday (May 30) to Jun 9, to ensure smooth journeys for home-goers during the Eid vacation, reports BSS.
Bangladesh Police has instructed police officials to verify drivers’ licenses, buses’ fitness certificates and other vehicle documents prior to each Eid journey, to ensure a hassle-free and safe journey for home-goers, says the state news agency.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary said in a directive to police officials that bus helpers may not replace drivers, and initiatives will be taken so that no vehicles carry passengers on the roofs of buses.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said travelling will be much easier and more comfortable during this Eid all roads are functional.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is providing special service to waterway passengers from Thursday aiming to ensure their safe journey during the Eid-ul-Fitr, says the BSS report.
Manager of Daulatdia Ghat of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Shafiqul Islam told BSS movement of goods carrying trucks will be suspended on Paturia- Daulatdia ferry route six days before and after Eid-ul-Fitr and 20 ferries will carry passengers to ensure their safe journey.
Additional police forces have been deployed at entry and exit point of every terminal and also on the roads and highways to ensure smooth vehicular movement.