NN Online:
The mass departure of city dwellers from Dhaka begins today, as it marks the final working day before the Eid-ul-Azha holiday. With a 10-day vacation officially starting, thousands of holidaymakers are preparing to travel to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family and friends.
Employees from both government and private sectors are expected to start their journeys by road, rail, and waterways immediately after office hours. Buses, trains, launches, and private vehicles will see heavy usage as the capital begins to empty out.
Advance tickets for long-distance transport have already sold out, but visits to major transit points—Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Gabtoli bus terminals, Kamalapur railway station, and Sadarghat launch terminal—revealed relatively low passenger pressure as of Thursday afternoon. Transport officials noted that journeys were mostly smooth and on schedule.
According to railway authorities, trains departed on time and carried fewer passengers than expected, making for a hassle-free start to the holiday travel period.
Government Tightens Security, Implements Photo ID Rule for Bus Passengers
To ensure passenger safety during the Eid rush, Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that photographs of all long-distance bus passengers must be taken, especially those boarding at interim stops. The move is aimed at deterring and identifying robbers posing as passengers.
At a press briefing, he stated, “This measure will help prevent crimes during the long Eid journey.” Key officials, including IGP Baharul Alam BPM and transport leaders, were present during the announcement.
Fare Monitoring and Road Safety
The government has also directed bus companies not to exceed government-fixed fares. “Bus owners have committed to adhering to the fare chart and avoiding overcharging,” said the home adviser.
Despite these assurances, concerns remain over road safety. A recent accident involving Antara Paribahan and Imran Paribahan buses on the Dhaka-Kuakata route in Barishal left ten people injured. Transport safety advocates, including Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, have urged authorities to ramp up safety measures as travel is expected to reach its peak over the next two days.
