Massive Eid rush leaves Dhaka packed

A massive wave of homebound travel swept out of Dhaka on Monday as the seven-day Eid-ul-Adha holiday exodus began, with authorities estimating that more than a million people are leaving the capital to celebrate the festival with their families.

The early departure rush, combined with heavy rainfall, mounting traffic pressure and public safety concerns, created challenging conditions across highways, railway stations and river terminals.

Despite the scale of movement, officials said traffic management remained largely stable on major routes.

Key highways leaving the capital, particularly the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway and roads leading to the Padma Bridge, experienced heavy southbound traffic from early morning.

However, the holiday journey was overshadowed by a fatal road accident near the Jamuna Bridge area in Tangail, where a truck overturned, claiming several lives and highlighting the risks associated with increased Eid travel.

Heavy rainfall from the morning further complicated travel, with waterlogging reported in several parts of Dhaka and slow-moving traffic observed at major intersections.

Areas including Panthapath, Karwan Bazar, Gulshan and Bijoy Sarani experienced congestion as many residents began leaving the city.

At Kamalapur Railway Station, trains largely maintained schedules despite intense passenger pressure.

Railway authorities introduced special Eid services and added 51 extra coaches across different routes, enabling an estimated 60,000 to 65,000 passengers to depart daily from the station.

However, some delays were reported.

The Chilahati-bound Nil Sagar Express, scheduled to leave at 6:45am, departed around one hour and 20 minutes late.

The Mahanagar Prabhati left about 30 minutes behind schedule, while the Burimari Express departed around 10 minutes late.

The Rangpur Express, originally scheduled for 9:10am, was later expected to leave at 10:45am.

Officials attributed the delays to heavy passenger loads, weather conditions and extended boarding times.

Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain, during a visit to Kamalapur, said a special women-only coach arrangement had been introduced on intercity trains, beginning with the Dhaka-Sylhet Joyentika Express.

He said the initiative followed instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure safer and more comfortable travel for women and children, with plans to gradually expand the service to other routes.

Security was strengthened across transport hubs, with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police deploying additional personnel at bus terminals, railway stations and ferry ghats, including K9 units at Kamalapur.

Officials said the measures were aimed at preventing theft, managing crowds and ensuring passenger safety during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecast further weather instability in the coming days, with heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds expected across several divisions, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barishal.

Authorities also warned of possible localised flooding and landslides in some northern and eastern regions.

Public health experts also raised concerns over a growing measles outbreak, warning that large-scale Eid travel could accelerate transmission.

Travellers were advised to avoid unnecessary crowding and maintain hygiene precautions, especially when travelling with children and elderly family members.

Another source of pressure emerged from livestock movement ahead of Eid sacrifices.

Thousands of cattle-laden trucks entering Dhaka, along with temporary cattle markets across the capital and surrounding areas, added to congestion on key roads and slowed outbound journeys further.

Heavy passenger pressure was also reported at Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali bus terminals, where travellers waited for hours for long-distance coaches bound for districts including Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla and Khulna.

Some passengers alleged that fares had increased during the peak travel period, although transport operators denied the claims and said government-approved rates were being maintained.

At Sadarghat Launch Terminal, thousands of passengers gathered for journeys to southern districts such as Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali and Chandpur.

Authorities estimated that between 10 and 12 lakh passengers could travel by waterways during the Eid period, with around 175 launches kept ready for service.

Although officials said the overall situation remained manageable, transport safety groups warned that conditions could worsen if heavy rain continued or if further accidents occurred on major highways during the Eid rush.