Overcharging rampant continues ahead of Eid: Bus passengers pay Tk 400 to 500 more per ticket
Syed Shemul Parvez :
Zia Haque, a madrasha teacher and resident of Jatrabari area, normally travels to his village in Madaripur by Sonali Paribahan paying Tk 200 fare from city’s Jatrabari.
But on Saturday morning, the bus operator charges Tk 500 per ticket. Taking advantage of Eid approaching issue, the bus company has taken more than doubled fare since fixed price.
In this regards, Zia Haque told the New Nation, “Overcharging during the Eid rush has become normal, but paying more than double is simply ridiculous,”
He, however, urges the government to look into the matter to ensure hassle free Eid journey for the passengers.
Besides, most of the Shariatpur bound bus is taking double fare marking the Eid issue.
Earlier, Shariatpur bus operators normally charged Tk 200 to 250 from Dhaka to Shariatpur but capitalizing the Eid issue they are taking Tk 400 to 500 from per persons.
Mahmud Hasan, resident of Naria, Shariatpur told The New Nation that despite having tight security and initiatives, an organized gang is taking extra fare even three times more than previous fare, it is matter of very sad. We are helpless here. We are compelled to pay double fare every during Eid journey, he said.
Though a video has been went viral on social media recently that a female magistrate fine a Barishal bound bus on charge of taking three times more fare since normal time.
Tons of people appreciated the matter on the Facebook saying as brave magistrate.
On the other marking the Eid holidays, the government has taken strict initiatives to ensure safe and better journey for the home goers ahead of Eid.
In this regard when asked Harun Or Rashid, Deputy Commissioner of Wari Division told The new Nation that adequate police are working to ensure hassle free, safe and sound journey marking the Eid vacation.
Besides, several magistrates are also on the spot to look into the overall issue. Mobile courts also fined Tk about 40000 on charge of taking overcharging, DC Harun added.
It is leant that tickets for buses of big companies have been sold out in advance. There are empty seats in buses of small companies, yet city dwellers are leaving Dhaka by spending 400 to 500 taka more per ticket than the fixed fare.
This is the picture seen when visiting the bus counters of Jatrabari Bus Terminal in the capital on Saturday.
The holy Eid-ul-Fitr holiday has started from Friday. Government employees will be on a 9-day holiday until April 5.
Before that, people started leaving the capital step by step before the main Eid holiday began, as March 26 was a government holiday on the occasion of Independence Day.
There is no threat of sabotage in Dhaka as the city becomes empty ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting Gabtoli Bus Terminal, a key entry and exit point of the capital, he dismissed concerns over any conspiracies regarding security issues.
“There is no threat of sabotage in Dhaka. If such a situation arises, it will be dealt with collectively. If the people remain vigilant, no one will be able to carry out any acts of sabotage,” he said.
With thousands leaving Dhaka for Eid, security forces and law enforcement agencies such as police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar, remain on duty.
Police have taken all out preparation to prevent any sabotage attempts at residences, financial institutions, shopping malls, railway stations, bus terminals and launch terminals during Eid, said additional police commissioner (DB) Rezwan Karim Mallik on Saturday.
Nasimul Gani, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said”Law enforcement agencies will remain highly alert during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays to ensure safety. No unexpected incidents would occur during Eid holidays,” he said.