As the holy festival of Eid-ul-Azha approaches, Dhaka has begun to empty out, with homebound people making their way to villages and hometowns, braving traffic congestion, transport shortages and other challenges.
With only two days left before Eid, which will be celebrated on Saturday, an overwhelming rush of travellers was observed at all major exit points from the capital on Wednesday.
From early morning, thousands of people thronged the capital’s key transport hubs—including Kamalapur Railway Station, Sayedabad and Gabtoli bus terminals, Mohakhali and Sadarghat Launch Terminal—determined to reunite with loved ones despite the odds.
The pressure on the roads was palpable. The Gulistan-Sadarghat route was heavily congested as a stream of people headed for the river port.
Similar scenes were witnessed at Hemayetpur, Ulail, Savar Bus Stand, Nabinagar, and Bypail areas, where long queues of passengers waited for buses amid limited availability.
Despite the odds, home-goers pushed forward with determination, often enduring physical discomfort and risking safety by boarding overcrowded buses, launches, and trains.
Many vehicles were seen carrying passengers beyond their capacity, yet the spirit of returning home before Eid kept the rush undeterred.
On the bright side, no major traffic jams were reported on two of the capital’s busiest outbound routes—the Dhaka-Aricha and Nabinagar-Chandra highways—which remained operational under increased traffic supervision.
At Gabtoli, Mohakhali, and Kallyanpur bus terminals, the passenger pressure continued to rise as the day wore on. A visit to Savar revealed long lines of travellers—many standing for hours under the sun, hoping to catch a bus.
Those without advance tickets faced the most difficulty, and many had to climb aboard cargo trucks or take any available vehicle, driven by the desperation to reach home before the holiday begins.
Some passengers complained of transport workers charging excessive fares, taking advantage of the increased demand. Despite government efforts to regulate fare hikes, implementation remains weak on the ground.
To manage the surge, police presence has been intensified along major highways and terminals.
Jewel Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Savar Model Police Station, said patrols have been increased and mobile units deployed to ensure the safe and smooth movement of holidaymakers.
“Traffic Division, Highway Police, and mobile teams are working round the clock to maintain order and provide assistance where needed,” he said.
As the Eid holidays officially begin on Thursday, authorities expect an even larger wave of outbound travellers on Thursday and Friday, making the coming days a critical test for the country’s transport infrastructure.
At the Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj, ferry and launch services were running without disruption, allowing travellers heading to the southern districts a smoother journey.
The country’s railway service also witnessed massive crowds, especially at Kamalapur Railway Station. The fifth day of Eid travels saw a significant increase in passenger numbers compared to earlier in the week.
While platforms overflowed with people and boarding scenes became chaotic, the trains maintained their schedules without major disruption.
Thanks to the launch of the Jamuna Railway Bridge, trains bound for the north and west of the country are now running more reliably, a welcome change from past years when delays were common during Eid travel.
Security forces have also taken a stricter stance to prevent roof-riding and ticketless travel, a perennial problem during the festival rush.
Special Eid trains are also operating on select routes, helping to ease some of the pressure. Passengers who secured tickets online expressed satisfaction at managing to board their trains on time, despite the overall chaos.
Although the opening of the Padma Bridge has reduced reliance on water transport in recent times, Sadarghat Launch Terminal has come alive again ahead of Eid.
Launches headed for southern districts were seen packed to capacity, with passengers spilling across the terminal.
While traffic congestion continued to trouble the road to Sadarghat, many were relieved that the overall journey to their village homes had become less difficult compared to previous years.
Despite the struggle, the prevailing mood remains one of excitement and joy, as millions strive to share the blessings of Eid with their loved ones in villages and hometowns across the country.
