People who had left Dhaka on the public and Eid holidays have started coming back giving the capital its all-known hustle and bustle.
People of all classes and professions were returning to Dhaka by bus-train-launch at different entrances of the capital. Working people were returning through the Kamalapur railway station, and Sadarghat launch terminal.
However, the number of passengers returning to Dhaka was less than before and there were more launch passengers than the ones on buses and trains.
One Anwar Hossain, who works in a private company, returned by bus from Noakhali, and said he had spent a long time on holiday at his village home. “Our office is working in rotation. My work is from Tuesday. So I came back to Dhaka with my family.”
There was a crowd of ordinary people at the launch dock on Monday. Many were in a hurry and most were not following the hygiene rules. Masks were not seen on many.
At Sadarghat launch terminal, arrangements have been made for passengers to enter the terminal through a sterile tunnel. Hand sanitizer is being provided. In addition, seats have been marked to maintain physical distance.
Although the first and second class passengers of the launches complied with the physical distance and hygiene rules, the third class passengers on the deck were the exception. They traveled without following physical distance and hygiene rules. As a result, law enforcement and launch owners struggled to cope with maintaining physical distance.
In this regard, State Minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, “proper hygiene rules have been adopted. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has distributed leaflets to passengers on launches. Hand sanitizers and thermometers have been provided.”
There are crowds still seen on roads as well as on the rivers. As public transport is still limited. In this regard, Amir Hossain, driver of SR Paribahan at Mohakhali bus stand in the capital said that everything is now open, due to which, there is pressure for people to return to the capital. However, very few people are leaving the capital.
At Kamalapur railway station, working people from different parts of the country were found returning to Dhaka after holidays. Apart from this, some people crowded Kamalapur railway station and some bus terminals to go home from Dhaka.
