Dhaka streets, transport terminals deserted on first working day after Eid holidays

Streets and transport terminals in Dhaka are yet to assume their usual crowded look although the official Eid-ul-Azha holidays came to an end on Wednesday.

No crowd was seen at the bus and train stations while streets remained almost empty on Thursday, the first working day after Eid.

A few transports – mostly rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and private cars – were seen on the streets in Nilkhet, Gulistan, Paltan and Farmgate – the areas that otherwise remain abuzz with vehicles on normal working days.

Transport workers passed idle time at the bus terminals.

“We are in a relaxed mood. Hardly any passenger is leaving or entering Dhaka,” said Rafiqul Islam, Manager of Ekushey Paribahan.

He expects a rush of passengers from Friday.

Sadarghat, the only access to Dhaka through river routes, did not have any crowd. However, many left for Chandpur, Shariatpur, and Bhola with meat.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Niaz Mohammad told bdnews24.com that launches started some 10 to 15 minutes earlier than schedule due to pressure of passengers leaving Dhaka.

‘Rubel,’ a mechanic based in Dhaka’’s Mirpur, was found heading to his home town, Bhola, with two buckets of meat.

He said he was running behind schedule as he started late.

No crowd was spotted at Kamalapur Railway Station either.

Railway police OC Abdul Majid anticipates that the number of Dhaka-bound passengers might rise in a day or two.