Eid holiday exodus empties Bangladesh capital Dhaka

A few cars whizzing by, rickshaw-pullers tinkling bells and triumphant people running home with sacrificial cattle after haggling – this is the usual scene of a vacant Dhaka City during Eid-ul-Azha holiday every year.

The trademark traffic congestions, the black smoke, the dust, the loud horns, the tumult and the busy pedestrians are all absent in Bangladesh’s biggest metropolis.

"If the city were always empty like this!" exclaimed Trishita Islam, a young citizen. The private university student chose Monday to go out as the setting will change after a week.

Nasir Ahmed, an executive at a private mobile-phone operator, said the picture would not change had there been a proper plan.

Some students were hanging out on an empty Dhaka University campus.

"Most of the friends have gone home to celebrate the Eid. We, who are staying back, are now having a chat here about Eid cattle," one of them, Mostafa Hossain said.

There was no sign of life in Dhaka's commercial hub Motijheel; only some private organisations opened offices for some hours.

"I had to come as there was no alternative," insurance firm employee Gulzar Hossain said.

Ayesha Haque and Sumaiya Mahjabben came to New Market for Eid shopping. "We've chosen the time to avoid crowd," Ayesha said.

Some were still leaving the city. NGO executive Md Arafat Ali was waiting at Mohakhali to catch a bus to Sunamganj.

"Traffic congestions made headlines for past few days. But there is no traffic jam now. The city is also empty," he said.

In the deserted city, transporters were charging more than the normal fare, taking advantage of fewer vehicles, commuters alleged.