As families left Dhaka in hundreds for their native cities to spend Eid-ul-Azha with loved ones, the majority of the capital had become desolate and devoid of its characteristic crowds.

Those who were yet to leave were seen crowding at the Kamalapur railway station or the bus terminals during spot visits on Saturday (Aug 10).

Wadud Hossain, who was heading for Barishal from Malibagh on a motorcycle, said that his wife and children had already gone home and he had to travel by bike due to unavailability of tickets.

At the bus terminal for the Jashore Khulna belt at Arambagh, Khorshed Alam, who worked for a private company, said that he had to go to work even on Saturday so that he would be able to stay for longer at his home town after Eid.

Despite the city losing its populous attributes, certain areas of the capital including Bashundahara, Mouchak, Paltan, Bailey Road that were shoppers’ hub continued to draw it crowds at people rushed to make last minute-purchases before Eid dawned on us. 

While the shoppers headed for the markets, other rickshaws, public buses or private still carried passengers who were heading for Arambagh, Sayedabad, Gabtoli and other bus stands or the Kamalapur railway station.

Anowarul Kabir, who waited for a train at the Kamalpur station with a ticket in hand, had come three hours early to the station to ensure he would to able to get onboard the train and find a seat.

Among those who were leaving the city plagued by the dengue panic was Rahat Hossain who said that although his tests had come back negative, he was heading home with a fever and apprehensive that the travel might make his condition worse.

The city often wore a different look ahead of Eid with major signal points on the busiest of the capital’s roads lying dusty and the traffic police personnel sitting idle.

Roni Mia, who had travelled from Shahbagh to Moghbazar, said that he had made journey in a matter of 11 minutes instead of the usual 30-40 minutes.

While most people left the capital for home on Friday, many others continued to make their way to their destinations out of the capital on Saturday making the city lose it usual hustle and bustle.