Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
A mass exodous began from the capital Dhaka on Thursday with millions of people heading to their homes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrated on October 6.
As the day was the last working day before the Eid, people in a large number started leaving the city by buses, trains and launches to celebrate the Eid with their dear and near ones.
The government has already declared a three-day holiday from Sunday on the occasion.
The city’s bus terminals–Gabtoli, Jatrabari, Syedabad and Mohakhali–to be the busiest place in the city as the Eid passengers show a preference for inter-city buses. Besides, mass movement of home-goers was also seen at the Sadarghat launch terminal and Kamlapur Railway Station.
Earlier, the transport authorities, both private and public, have launched special service, with additional number of buses, launches and trains, to cope with the additional number of Eid passengers.
While visiting the long distance and launch terminals and train stations, it was found that these places were overflowed with passengers and many of them were trying to find seat on roof-tops of buses and trains risking their lives.
Eid passengers streamed into the Kamlapur Railway Station, which links the capital to cities and towns across the country, from the early morning.
People with, or even without tickets, also gathered at the rail station to try their luck.
“I’ve failed to manage ticket for going to my hometown Chittagong by train. But I still look for a chance to have an opportunity to go home,” Nasir Hossain, a government official, told The New Nation.
A similar picture was seen at the Gabtoli Bus Terminal where hundreds of passengers thronged with the hope of managing ticket even at black market rate.
“I took a day off today (Thursday) in order to avoid the major traffic congestion expected on Friday or Saturday,” said Jakaria Khan, an official of private mobile phone operator, while waiting for an inter-district bus at Gabtoli Terminal in the morning.
He added: “I will spend the Eid holidays with my family members and relatives at my hometown in Kustia”.
Huge rush of passengers was also seen at the Sadarghat launch terminal with many people took ride on overcrowded passenger boats as part of the exodus home from the capital risking their lives.
Though people were making the journey risking their life, they were happy with using to make such journey go home to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with near and dear ones.
