Many people have started returning to Dhaka following the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration as the long vacation on occasion of the festival nears end.

Visiting the capital’s bus terminals and railway stations on Thursday, it was seen that many people have started returning to Dhaka from home after celebrating Eid with their family members and relatives.

People involved in the transport sector said the pressure of holidaymakers returning to Dhaka will increase further on Friday (today) and it will peak on Saturday as all kinds of offices – both government and private – will be open from Sunday.

Meanwhile, some were still going home on Thursday – the fourth day of Eid, avoiding the Eid rush, but they were fewer than the passengers returning to Dhaka. Bus counters were not very crowded. People heading home could easily buy tickets and board the bus.

Counter managers of different transport companies said buses were leaving from the terminals on time and passengers can easily go home as there is no pressure in the terminals.

Noyon Mia, a transport worker of Shohag Paribahan, said, “Now buses leave Dhaka with 20-25 passengers. Even though there are fewer passengers, buses leave stations on time, because they will return with passengers from outside Dhaka. Most passengers have already booked tickets in advance for the return journey.”

Yasin Moksudur Rahman, a resident of Dilu Road, said, “I was at work during Eid. Now I am returning home. There is no shortage of buses or tickets.”

Mahmudul Hasan, a passenger of Himaloy Express, said, “I celebrated Eid in Dhaka with my family. Now I am going to visit my village home. Before Eid, there is a lot of suffering on the roads, so I am going now to avoid that.”

Another passenger, Humayra Begum, works at a hospital. She could not return home as she had duty during Eid. She boarded a bus to go home as soon as she got a leave.

She said, “I had to do duty during. I am returning home as I have a holiday today (Thursday).”

Crowd at the Kamalapur railway station

The Kamalapur Railway Station witnessed a huge crowd on Thursday as many people started returning to the capital after Eid, while many others – who could not celebrate Eid with their families – headed towards their homes by train.

On Thursday morning, it was seen at Kamalapur railway station that the number of people leaving Dhaka was equal to the returning passengers.

There was a huge presence of people all over the platform. Many were waiting to board their scheduled train, while many others were busy collecting tickets.

Railway officials said a total of 12 trains left Kamalapur for various destinations across the country from early morning to 10am on Thursday. They also said despite the pressure of passengers, the trains are leaving on time.

Railway officials believe that the pressure of passengers at the station may continue for some more days as people rush to return to work after the holidays.

Talking to passengers at the station, it was learned that many were unable to go home during the Eid holidays due to work commitments. Now that they have some free time, they are rushing to their villages to spend time with their loved ones.