Growing crowds at Dhaka bus terminals as Eid-ul-Fitr draws near

To handle the surge in travellers, certain transport companies are adding extra trips

With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, the number of homebound travellers has surged at Dhaka's bus terminals.

Transport workers say ticket demand at counters began increasing after Tuesday afternoon.

The interim government had announced the holiday, counting Eid-ul-Fitr on Mar 31.

In addition, four days of leave were granted around this period, including Mar 29, 30, and Apr 1, 2, under an executive order.

Before the start of the Eid holidays, Mar 28 (Friday) also marks a holiday due to Shab-e-Qadr.

Offices were initially set to reopen on Apr 3 (Thursday), but the government later extended the break through an executive order.

The following two days are the regular weekend, so government employees will enjoy an extended nine-day holiday from Mar 28 to Apr 5.

Before the Eid holidays begin, government employees will have their last working day on Mar 27 (Thursday), while Mar 26 is also a public holiday.

So, those who managed to take leave on Thursday before Eid set off for home right after work on Tuesday.

By the afternoon, crowds at Gabtoli terminal began swelling. Many travellers even brought their Iftar meals along.

Many people from the northern and south-western regions of the country travel home by road from Gabtoli.

University student Israt Jahan said they were heading to Nilphamari’s Chilahati.

Before evening, she arrived at the bus counter with her brother-in-law, carrying bags and a tiffin box packed with Iftar.

Her husband, Jinnatun Nabi, came directly from the office.

Israt said, “I found several others from our area here. Our bus is scheduled to leave at 8pm, but we made early preparations to avoid Eid travel congestion.”

There is a heavy rush at the bus counters for tickets. Only seats at the back and near the engine cover are still available.

Counter staff say the demand for tickets on Mar 25, 26, and 27 is the highest, with little to no availability of tickets for "good" buses on these days.

Due to the high demand, some transport companies have rented additional vehicles to increase the number of trips.

Md Jahangir, who works at the Taj Paribahan counter, says they have some tickets left for the additional trips, and these are the ones they are currently selling.

A group of construction workers was buying tickets to go home.

One of them, Abdur Razzak, said: "During Eid, the fares are high, and a lot of money gets spent just on travel.

"On top of that, there hasn't been much work lately. But there's no choice, I have to go home. My mother, brother, and sister are there, and I need to bring something for them," he added.

Bus driver Yakub Ali said: “During Eid, the earnings are high, but so is the hardship."

Millions of people returning home for Eid typically use five major highways.

According to drivers, owners, and law-enforcers, traffic congestion is not expected on most routes this year.

Additional Director General (Media) of Highway Police Md Shamsul Alam told bdnews24.com on Monday, “We are not expecting much traffic congestion this time.”

“The northern roads are in good condition, and routes like Dhaka-Chattogram and those via the Padma Bridge to the southern regions are clear,” he added.

He, however, cautioned about potential traffic disruptions on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, as ongoing construction work has narrowed lanes and left some areas damaged.

Authorities have been actively monitoring the roads in places like Shyamoli and Kalyanpur to ensure smooth travel.

Large buses are being parked in an orderly manner, and smaller vehicles are being kept off the road.

Despite these efforts, traffic jams increased near Gabtali and Mazar Road by evening.